| An observant Jewish man who had fallen on hard times traveled to a distant land to seek his livelihood. Upon arriving, he discovered that the local inhabitants were pagans. Disturbed by what he saw, he rebuked one of them, saying, “You are foolish to worship the stars!”
The pagan replied calmly, “And whom do you worship?”
“I serve the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth,” the man answered, “the Eternal Master of the universe, Who sustains all of His creation.” The pagan responded, “Your words are lofty, but your actions contradict them. If your beliefs are true, why did your G-d not provide for you in your own city, just as He provides for you here?”
The logic struck home. The Jew recognized the truth in the pagan’s words. A man of genuine faith, he returned to his hometown, lived simply, and never again left in search of sustenance—placing his trust fully in HaShem. HaShem is the all-powerful Creator, Who loves, protects, and sustains every one of His creations. True bitachon demands harmony between belief and behavior. Reason dictates that the more we trust in HaShem, the less we rely on frantic effort and excessive control. And the more our trust deepens, the greater our inner calm, joy, and peace of mind.
Practical Reflection: - Strengthen your trust in HaShem.
- Observe your actions and thought patterns.
- Ask honestly: Do they reflect my stated faith?
- Align your reactions and choices with your belief in HaShem—the Source of all good.
(Based on Chovos HaLevavos, Sha’ar HaBitachon)
| 
