What is the Meaning of 'Bittachon', and Does Trusting Hashem Mean Being Sure Our Heart's Desires Will be Fulfilled?

The Sages present various interpretations of 'bittachon', all of which are divinely inspired. Each perspective contributes to the broader understanding of 'bittachon'. While some Sages highlighted one particular approach as primary, others emphasized different ones. Nonetheless, all interpretations are valid, essential for different situations, and vary according to an individual's life context and spiritual level..

1. One approach, known as 'Chazon Ish's approach', considers 'bittachon' a component of faith, an advanced stage of belief. This means not only intellectually acknowledging that Hashem created, monitors, and governs the world but also internalizing this on an emotional level and living according to this understanding. This means managing one's life and actions according to this knowledge, leading to inner peace as one realizes that all life events are for their ultimate good.

2. The second approach is "Trust in Hashem and Do Good". According to this view, trusting in Hashem means desiring to fulfill His will, excelling in serving Him, not envying the success of those who reject the yoke, and adhering only to what is good and right in Hashem's eyes. Hence, this approach is called "Trust in Hashem and Do Good"—to trust in Hashem means wanting to act according to His desires and commandments.

Rabbeinu Bachya writes in his book 'Kad HaKemach' on the verse "Trust in Hashem and do good, dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture" (Psalms 37:3): "King David, peace be upon him, intends to remind and caution about the trait of 'bittachon' first and then about good deeds, to clarify that this type of trust is where a person trusts Him to perform His commandments and provides the preparations needed for them."

3. Another method, advocated by Rabbeinu Bachya ibn Paquda, author of 'Chovot HaLevavot', is that 'bittachon' means knowing Hashem is the sole ruler of the universe, who determines and governs the world. However, in addition to this, there should be anticipation and hope for the fulfillment of one’s desires based on Hashem's abundant mercy and grace, even without any explicit guarantee, because He is our loving Father and King who wishes for our good. Therefore, we hope and anticipate goodness..

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4. The fourth method, known as the 'Sabba of Novardok's approach', is not obligatory but optional. This approach suggests that 'bittachon' means trusting that Hashem will fulfill our heart's desires, and if one trusts in this with complete and unwavering faith, Hashem will grant those desires.. We refer to several previously mentioned sources:

Rabbi Yosef Albo writes in his book 'Sefer HaIkkarim': "One should have hope in Hashem, trusting Him with full confidence that He will complete their hope without doubt, since He has the ability and no one can hinder Him, unlike hoping for something uncertain. This hope strengthens and gladdens the heart" (Fourth Essay, Chapter 49). "The hope of grace is the most commendable of all, but there is no assurance it will be granted as one desires. Since one estimates themselves as not at the level for gratuitous grace, they think the master will not want to grant their request, and because of this, they do not hope adequately. If they hoped properly, the grace wouldn't be withheld from Hashem's side, for He always wishes to bestow upon one who hopes properly. Scripture says: 'Hashem desires those who fear Him, those who hope for His mercy' (Psalms 147), and so it is evident that the withholding of grace occurs when hope is not proper" (Fourth Essay, Chapter 47).

In the book 'Chiddushei Maran HaGRI"Z HaLevi—on the Torah', presenting the insights of Rabbi Yitzchak Zev HaLevi Soloveitchik, it mentions the verse "Trust in Hashem and do good dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture, and delight in Hashem, and He will grant you the desires of your heart" (Psalms 37): "The scripture testifies that through 'bittachon', one can achieve anything, as it says 'and delight in Hashem and He will grant you the desires of your heart'. The explanation is if your trust in Hashem is so strong that it brings you joy, then He will grant the desires of your heart... all according to the level of complete trust, so it will be fulfilled by Hashem's name in that measure, and all of one's desires will be achieved abundantly" (Commentary on Psalms 27:14).

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, known as the 'Advocate of Israel', writes regarding the verse "Hashem is your shade at your right hand" (Psalms 121:5): "Therefore, if a person trusts in Hashem that Hashem will provide all their needs, even above, all their desires are fulfilled. But if a person constantly worries about their sustenance and that of their household, then above, their sustenance is lacking. Therefore, fortunate is the person who does not forget Him and places their trust in Hashem, for then Hashem is their shade and prepares their sustenance. As they trust in Hashem that G-d fulfills all their needs, so Hashem grants us all our needs" (Kedushat Levi, Parashat Beshalach).

5. Another method, called 'The Virtue of Surrender', involves nullifying all personal desires. At this level, the believer completely relinquishes their desires and aspirations, not expecting their fulfillment. They rely on Hashem, trusting that whatever happens is undoubtedly the best and most correct for them. They cast their fate upon Hashem, knowing He will lead them perfectly, and that is all they desire.

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There are practical applications for our lives rooted in 'bittachon' that we will briefly mention: Dedicating time and resources to spiritual purposes, recognizing the purpose of life, and viewing this world as temporary; not trusting in benefactors—not seeing good people as saviors, but as messengers of Hashem who have no power to change reality; not overexerting efforts and actions in attempting to achieve something, nor avoiding effort, as this is the path Hashem has outlined for us; actions of effort done peacefully, not hastily, knowing that effort fulfills the divine decree requiring human initiative, but does not affect the outcome, which is solely a result of the Creator's decision; avoiding prohibited actions according to Jewish law, believing that forbidden acts will never yield blessing from the heavens, and recognizing that the outcome is always a result of Hashem's will and not human action; knowing that all successes come from Hashem, not "My own strength and efforts have produced this wealth"; understanding that difficulties are from Hashem, and everything is for the good and done with justice; knowing that all life events are guided by Hashem, out of His care and love for us, for the purpose of our completeness and fulfillment of life’s purpose.

How can you trust in Hashem? Rabbi Yigal Cohen in an especially powerful lesson. Watch: