What Are the Advantages of Trusting in Hashem? Part 2

In the previous article, we began to detail the advantages of trusting in Hashem. Now we will detail additional advantages.

Living Without Worries

Third Advantage – A person who trusts in Hashem has an advantage over the wealthy who trust in their riches. As Job, who was very wealthy, said, one day he lost all his possessions (Job 27:19): "A rich man lies down but does not gather; when he opens his eyes, he is gone." Commentators explain that a rich person can go to sleep with a lot of wealth, only to wake up in the morning and find that he has lost everything. Moreover, who promised him that he would actually enjoy his great wealth? Does he know if he will live tomorrow? Most of his days are filled with fears that someone might try to steal his wealth, or that the stock market might crash.

A distinguished Jewish man from the US once told me he had $45 million that, on a clear day in 2000, when all his shares were in the New York Stock Exchange, the market crashed, and his stocks plummeted to just a few thousand dollars. *L'chaim*.

Even if the wealth stays with him, the wealthy man worries that he might not be healthy enough to enjoy it. Furthermore, who decided that he will live tomorrow? His wife might marry another after his death and enjoy his vast wealth, as it is stated, "They shall leave their wealth to others."

In contrast, someone who trusts in Hashem knows that his sustenance depends solely on the Creator, as it is written in Psalms, "You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing." Therefore, he does not worry at all because it has already been promised "One who trusts in Hashem, kindness will surround him."

How much would we pay to live without worries? Trust in Hashem is the payment.

Not Afraid of People

Fourth Advantage – Someone who trusts in Hashem does not flatter people, does not expect their help, and does not place his hope in them. Certainly, he will not agree to do bad things to find favor in their eyes, and he will not fear people because he knows that no one can harm him or help him unless the Creator wills it, as the prophet Isaiah said (chapter 57), "For the Lord Hashem helps me; therefore, I am not disgraced, therefore, I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed."

In contrast, one who trusts in people, about whom it is said, "Cursed is the person who trusts in people, who makes mere flesh their strength, and whose heart turns from Hashem," when he hopes for human help, at the same time, he forgets about the Almighty who can truly help. Moreover, great disappointment awaits him in the end. Many years ago, I tried to buy a house for my family. I researched housing prices and found I was short 200,000 shekels even after taking a bank mortgage. Meanwhile, I remembered a dear friend whom Hashem had blessed with great wealth, who once told me, "If you need help, don’t hesitate to ask." This was the opportunity. I called him and asked to meet him in his office. He gladly agreed. After some polite inquiries about each other's well-being, I told him about my wish to buy a house and that I needed 200,000 shekels as a loan until I received a similar amount from a different source. My friend replied, "Certainly, I’ll be happy to help you. Give me a week to organize, and I'll get back to you." I returned home happy, awaiting a phone call from my dear friend.

This story happened many years ago, and to this day, I am still waiting for that anticipated call.

Additionally, one who trusts in people and believes they can help him is usually afraid of them because, in his thinking, they can also harm him, even to the extent that if a person threatens him and forces him to do something against the will of the Almighty, he will fear the person and go against the will of the Creator. But the truth is, no person in the world can harm us, and indeed, only the Creator has the power to harm or benefit.

Heart is Free to Do Hashem's Will

Fifth Advantage - One who trusts in people and his own wisdom never stops worrying about his livelihood, health, and social success. In all life's matters, his heart is troubled with concerns, "Will I succeed or not?" This worry prevents him from focusing on serving the Almighty, which is the primary purpose of his creation in this world, making it difficult for him to concentrate on studying Torah, prayer, and good deeds. His head and thoughts are constantly preoccupied with how to succeed in life.

In contrast, one who trusts in the Almighty focuses his heart on matters of the World to Come, such as sincere prayer, learning Torah, practicing kindness towards others, and loving Israel, which are the main things to invest one's thoughts and desires in.

Receives Sustenance from Heaven

Sixth Advantage - The person who trusts in Hashem, unlike the world's greatest wealthy person, receives his sustenance from Heaven.

A wealthy person traveling far from his money, such as on a distant trip where he loses his credit cards, is temporarily like a pauper. Until he returns to his place, he cannot enjoy his great wealth. But the person who trusts in Hashem is assured sustenance in all forms, as it is written, "And He fed you the manna…to show you that not by bread alone does man live, but by every word that comes from the mouth of Hashem."

The people of Israel were in the worst place on earth, a barren desert where food was unobtainable by natural means. Yet it was there that the Creator gave them manna from heaven, the bread of angels, capable of tasting like all flavors of the world.

The one who trusts in Hashem is among the eaters of manna, with sustenance provided through miraculous and hidden ways. It is known that when Elijah the prophet withdrew rain and fled from King Ahab of Israel, Hashem said to him (Kings I, 17:2), "Go hide by the brook, and you'll drink from the brook, and I will command the ravens to feed you there. And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening." The commentators explain that the food came from the kitchen of King Ahab, Elijah's enemy, by means of a raven, a bird known for cruelty toward its own offspring, leaving them without food in the nest. Yet, it was the raven that was the messenger. When Hashem desires, food will reach the one who trusts, and all creatures will be messengers to send him his sustenance, in all places and at all times.

The book "Yagel Libi BeYeshuatecha" is available at fine stores and at Hidabroot Shops