We are living in extremely unsettling times.
As if the Corona pandemic isn’t enough (G-d forbid) to shake up our entire world as we knew it, challenging the premises upon which our lives and society are built, America is now experiencing widespread rioting, the Middle East it’s never-ending security unrest, many countries and nations face extreme lack of leadership – uncertainty regarding our future is an understatement.
Yet, as Jews, we are supposed to be firmly secure in our trust of Hashem, and – while indeed taking the necessary measures of this world – we are called to be plugged in to a higher reality where – supposedly – “it’s all for the good”.
Let’s be honest.
Many of us, regardless of how frum we are, how many Shiurim we attend or give, or how committed and involved we are in Jewish communities, still struggle inside with our sense of pure absolute trust in Hashem.
This inner work doesn’t happen on its own.
Unless we truly work on it, our Emunah can remain abstract and doesn’t translate into real trust.
This precise problem is the focus of Shaar HaBitachon – a chapter of the Sefer Chovot HaLevavot (Duties of the Hearts) – entirely devoted to guiding us, step-by-step, in a down-to-earth method of attaining true trust in Hashem.
And now, there is a website with Shiurim and resources bringing this Sefer to life.
Welcome to GateofTrust.org
Besides featuring the text of this phenomenal work – by Rabbi Bachya Ibn Pekuda, an 11th century Torah scholar and philosopher – with a vowelized Hebrew and side-by-side English translation, it also has video shiurim by Rabbis Shais Taub and rabbi Aryeh Weinstein, and much more to come (new content will be added weekly).
The website features:
- “Snippets” – short quotes from the book, which are shareable on social media.
- One can also receive a PDF download of the first chapter, from the forthcoming book.
- One can also sign up to a daily WhatsApp broadcast of these daily quotes of inspiration.
- Shiurim on Trust
- Read the entire book of Shaar HaBitachon – HERE: https://www.gateoftrust.org/gate-of-trust-text
- Much more to come
The Website’s Mission:
“Helping people live more tranquil and meaningful lives by learning and experiencing authentic trust in Hashem.”
How it all began:
This project is really a result of a multi years-long series in the popular weekly Torah magazine Chayenu, which featured weekly installments of this timely classic on Bitachon (trust), accompanied by a fresh commentary from Chassidus.
Responding to the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s encouragement (link) to many who struggled with trust in Hashem to learn this particular chapter several times, Chayenu approached Feldheim Publishers to request permission to feature their publication in weekly installments.
With initial funding from Howard & Claire Glowinsky of Toronto, Chayenu editor R’ Itzick Yarmush researched and collected sources in Chasidus which parallel the text’s theme, running alongside the English translation, adding tremendous richness and depth to the study.
After 2 years of serializing the text, Chayenu is now working with Kehot Publication Society to produce a revised translation with the Chasidus commentary, as a forthcoming publication, sure to make its mark in the Jewish world, especially at such a historic moment.
Funded by a grant from the Getzy and Alisa Fellig of Coconut Grove, the book is in the final stages and will be launched in coming months.
The website is not limited to this particular book, but will feature a wide variety of resources on Trust (Bitachon), with time.
We encourage you to familiarize yourself with it, download a sample chapter, listen//watch a Shiur (Torah class) on the topic, and share the power of trust with a trusted friend.
GateofTrust.org is made possible through a generous grant from
The Duchman family; To strengthen our connection to the Rebbe, leader of our generation
and
The Fellig family; To strengthen Klal Yisroel’s Trust in Hashem in the face of all challenges big or small.
Text of Shaar Habitochon – Gate of Trust::
https://www.gateoftrust.org/gate-of-trust-text
Sample of the book:
Social media:
https://www.instagram.com/gateoftrust
Very special and needed now. Just listened to Rabbi Weinstein’s first shiur and already feel more positive. Looking forward to more!
The rebbe told both me and a friend to learn shaar habitachon so many years ago. The rebbe also told me. If you labor you will find but it must be with simcha and trust in hashem. ויגעת ומצאת אלה צריך להיות בשמחה ובטחון בהשם