Shalom uvracha to all of the wonderful B’nai Shalom members, families, and friends:
I hope and trust that following the inspiring and moving Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services, the holidays of Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah, brought additional pleasure and joy to all of you.
This, is IN SPITE OF, and with full knowledge and vivid, heartbreaking recollections of LAST YEAR’S Simchat Torah/Shmini Atzeret barbaric atrocities. These are NOT FORGOTTEN and truly, in many ways, seared into the minds and hearts of memories of all of us.
But we know we must move forward – while not only RECALLING the nightmarish events of last year (that continue even to this moment…) but doing what we MUST DO to address the ongoing situation in Israel and to support Israel in every way we can.
Following the close of the holiday of Simchat Torah, we have the longest stretch on the Jewish calendar of “down time” in which there are no holidays or fast days, (naturally NOT COUNTING the weekly celebrations of Shabbat Kodesh and the beginning of each month with Rosh Chodesh – the semi-holiday observances of the first day of each Hebrew month).
There are two months and two days following Simchat Torah until the next holiday of Chanukah, and no fast days until Asarah B ‘Tevet, one week AFTER Chanukah has concluded. AND while Chanukah IS the next holiday, it is NOT a Yom Tov, (a designated holiday mentioned in the Torah Shebichtav –the written Torah). The designation of the next Yom Tovi, believe it or not, goes to Peasch, which, this year will take place seven months after Sukkot. This is a month longer than in most years since the current year is a Hebrew leap year, which includes two months of Adar, both preceding Nisan, the month that includes Pesach.
The events of last year may call into question our emunah – our faith in G-d and G-d’s role in the world, including His active nature OR His chosen passive nature in the events that occur to human beings.
There is “emunah” — belief in G-d and then there is “bitachon,” complete reliance on G-d, different from “emunah” since bitachon comes from the Hebrew word: “betach,” or “bituach,” certain, or “of course.”
Bitachon in Hashem is NOT believing that “everything will work out alright” or the way we want it to.
1.) Bitachon in Hashem can encompass the belief that Hashem knows what’s in our best interest and therefore acts on our best interests in all situations.
2.) This may be the thought behind the theory that Hashem can fulfill and actualize what is in our best interest.
3.) Full emunah, and even bitachon, in some forms, present the notion that Hashem only does what’s in our best interest (ultimately this is the BEST, even if we don’t understand it.)
4.) Regardless of one’s style, depth, and understanding of emunah or bitachon, both of these themes include the iron clad belief that Hashem fulfills that which he promises.
5.) Another dimension of one’s bitachon, is that Hashem fulfills beyond what He promises and even when we don’t deserve.
6.) In almost ALL style of belief, there would appear to be agreement in our theologies that our tefillot (our prayers) are not a “wish list” based on bitachon.
The last two thoughts I present to you for thought and discussion are arguably the most difficult aspects of bitachon which many people may have trouble absorbing. They are:
7.) Bitachon doesn’t mean there will be a happy ending.
8.) There is no immediate cause and effect with bitachon.
Along with the ALREADY–difficult challenge of believing in a G-d that we can’t see, a G-d that doesn’t speak DIRECTLY to us, and a G-d who is considered to be both GOOD and MERCIFUL, these last two theories concerning the way we view our belief and reliance on G-d can certainly test our faithfulness.
In upcoming B’nai Shalom shiurim (during the non-Summer months on Friday nights following the Friday night services), I welcome comments, thoughts, and questions concerning these ongoing, often nagging and frequently perplexing concepts concerning our belief, faith, and dependence on our Almighty G-d in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
With Torah blessings,
Rabbi Dr. Yaacov Dvorin