We continue our discussion in the sefer Bitach Bashem with the concept of specifically trusting Hashem in times of trouble that He will take us out of the challenging situation and bring us to a place of resolution.
Why does Rosh Hashana parallel the 'light' of chapter 27 of tehillim, 'L'dovid Hashem Ori,' while Yom Kippur parallels the 'salvation' of that same passuk? Why does the 'light' or Rosh Hashana come first, and only then the 'salvation' of Yom Kippur, which denotes Hashem forgiving us for our sins? Wouldn't it make more sense to first be forgiven, and then renew our relationship with Hashem as King of the Universe? Why are the 'wicked filled with regrets' and yet they can not change? How does first being involved with proclaiming Hashem our King, and recognizing He remembers, and mentioning the concept of the Shofar - how do all these serve to help our regrets to be effective in bringing about change? What was the method of the Chofetz Chaim to keep a 'spiritual scorecard' that parallels how businesses keep a reckoning of what works in their business?
We discuss the idea of whether one can (and should) have Bitachon-faith even on the smallest matters or if it is only to be employed when we are facing serious difficulties.
What is the idea behind 'those who are here and those not here' being part of the covenant? How can 'those not here' be included? What is the power of the idea that every new Torah idea was told to Moshe at Sinai? What is the unique power of even a single person doing teshuva (repentance)? How does Teshuva relate to redemption? What is the 'space between the mouth and heart' which is the center of Teshuva that anyone can access?
We continue our exploration of the opinion of the Chazon Ish in Bitachon, which stresses the importance of knowing that all that happens to a person - whether good or not so good - it is all a decree from heaven and ultimately must be embraced as such. Furthermore, this opinion contends that one can depend on a positive outcome if one is in a proper relationship with their Creator.
Why does the Torah stress that the clothes the Jews wore in the wilderness never wore out? Where did these clothes come from? How are they connected to the clothes of Yaakov which he wore when he came in to steal the blessing of Esav? What was special about the revelation at Mount Sinai and the angels who appeared with gifts for the Jewish people? How did the clothes still fit children who received them in their youth? What is the idea of them being Royal Blue or Purple? What is the concept of the 'good smell' that reaches from one end of the earth to the other?
We continue our exploration of the opinion of the Chazon Ish in Bitachon, which stresses the importance of knowing that all that happens to a person - whether good or not so good - it is all a decree from heaven and ultimately must be embraced as such. This is a lofty level of Bitachon-Faith.
What is the fundamental spiritual mistake of someone who speaks Lashon Hara (gossip)? How is that hatred and Lashon Hara cause the Divine Presence to be repelled? What is the concept of the destruction of the ego in the beginning of the times of Moshiach? How does it relate to the Ruach Hakodesh (Holy Spirit) and Shechinah (Divine Presence) that will be present on mankind in those times? How can we taste these aspects even today?
We study together the teaching about Bitachon of the Gra, which is based on R' Chaim Vital's teaching on the topic in his sefer Shaarei Kedusha. In it we explore the concept that Bitachon is the fundamental middah (character trait) that impacts the human being in positive way, as opposed to Chemdah-desire which is never satisfied and leads a person far astray from spiritual values.
What is the deeper concept of peace? What is the depth of the teaching about the peace that comes when Hashem returns the souls of the idol worshippers for another day of life despite their denial of Him? Why did R' Meir allow the woman to 'spit in his face' to satisfy her husband who was not allowing her to come home? Why is Jerusalem associated with the concept of peace? Why is the ultimate redemption connected so intimately with peace? What is the approach to peace and forgiveness with others who have hurt us?