Bitachon (בטחון) — Trust

Core definition

Bitachon is trust in Hashem — the active, worked-upon counterpart to emunah (faith). The maamar on "Betach ba'Havayah va'aseh tov, shechon eretz u're'eh emunah" (Tehillim 37:3) reads the verse as four matters: bitachon and doing good are instruction and warning; a life of menuchah and parnasah in emunah are the promise [31682/maamar_020 :: Summary]. Bitachon must be "in actual deed: i.e., that it be not only in speech alone, but in deed — and this is his saying 'va'aseh tov'" [31682/maamar_020 :: Summary].

How the Rebbeim develop it

Emunah is inherited and revealed: "emunah is by all Jews in revelation (or aroused through a light his'orerus) — no avodah needed; but bitachon needs avodah — not only in speech but in deed" [31682/maamar_020 :: Summary]. The Ramban's distinction runs deeper: emunah is certain and settled, while bitachon "is not necessary, only possible — it is possible that he is a baal bitachon, and possible that he is not a baal bitachon" — hence the verse's constant warning about bitachon [31676/maamar_021 :: עמוד רכג]. This also explains the verse's order — bitachon first, then teshuvah, then emunah — though at first glance emunah should come first: bitachon and teshuvah add strength to the emunah [31676/maamar_021 :: עמוד רכג].

"U're'eh emunah" is read as "graze faith": emunah itself must be pastured and sustained — as Moshe, the ra'aya mehemna (faithful shepherd), shepherds Yisrael, who are called "emunah" — even though faith is inherited from the forefathers [31676/maamar_021 :: עמוד רכג]. The Alter Rebbe reads it as "feed and sustain the emunah": its multiplication, spreading, and strengthening — through avodah in Torah and mitzvos, in toil of soul and toil of flesh, in haskalah, understanding, and hiskashrus in Divine attainment [31682/maamar_020 :: Summary].

Rashi explains "betach ba'Havayah" as the answer to the inner question — "do not say: if I do not rob and steal, or give charity — from what will I be sustained?" [31682/maamar_020 :: סיכום ביניים]. And "the sustenance is specifically through bitachon and teshuvah" [31676/maamar_021 :: עמוד רכג].

The sicha on the subject defines bitachon as "above time and above place": absolute certainty in Hashem's help grounded in His power alone — not in one's deeds, prayer, or merit. True bitachon is paradoxical: the trusting one fully refuses to accept any other outcome, yet remains completely inwardly unmoved and calm, like one who already has the money in hand — hence "true bitachon is a very great avodah — indeed a great one" [15962/maamar_035 :: Summary of the sicha].

Key distinctions

Related concepts

Emunah (faith), teshuvah, menuchah, parnasah, Moshe as ra'aya mehemna, "michla d'meheimanusa" (the food of faith), hishtadlus.

Sources