The Meaning of Trust- Simcha and Bitachon

[Hally2]

Rebbetzin Heller taught in this class that knowing Hashem's name is what emunah is all about. I especially enjoyed the story about the down syndrome young man who ended up being a shadchan for a couple. This just shows the great wonders that Hashem can do. Hashem also provides us with consequences to all our poor actions and all mitzvos have reward- even what looks like consequential reality is really hashkacha reality. Hashem is really involved in everything that we do. How do others bring this idea into your lives? It would be interesting to hear how others keep this complete bitachon in Hashem going all the time.

[Tzippy2]

I have a friend who told me that her mother was not a learned woman, but that she was one of the most G-d-focused people she knew, because she ket a running conversation with Hashem going at all times.  When they got in the car to go to school in the morning, they asked Hashem to help the car start and keep it going till they got to school (you need to have an old car for that  ).  When they walked outside on a sunny day, she thanked Him for making blooming flowers, etc. 

[Aliza1]

Tzippy's post illustrates how Bitachon and Simcha are so intertwined.  If somebody spends a whole day thanking Hashem for what they have, it turns into real appreciation, which brings happiness. 

[Chana4]

Now that we've finished the 12th and last class on the topic, I suppose it is a little late to bring this up, but what were the texts for the last 3 classes?  The first classes were fron Orchot Tzaddikim, then from Chovot H-levavot, but after that it was not made clear.

[Moderator]

We got a list from Rebbetzin Heller, which includes Michtav M'Eliyahu - R' Dessler, R' Nachman M'Breslov's Likutei Moharan, The Rambam, and the Ramban.

We hope to compile these sources and post them next to the classes soon.

[Chana4]

Thanks.  Posting them is a better idea than running them as source sheets, especially for those of us who have a few sfarim.  I never mind using those; source sheets, on the other hand, multiply uncontrollably...

[barbara1]

If something happens that makes us feel uncomfortable, unhappy, stressed, angry, sad etc.  and we say "It's not fair that........" (fill in the blank).   Who are we really complaining to?  Hashem.   We are so busy trying to control things and run things to our liking and we need to always remember that Hashem is the One in control here.   Again, it all comes back to trusting in Hashem  - that He is sending us these "situations" for our own good -  so that we will grow and work on our middot.    We need to look at every "situation" as an opportunity, lovingly sent by Hashem to get us to improve ourselves.

[Lyndsay]

I think the point about Simcha is such an important one (I am probably talking to myself more than anyone else) - by being able to really trust in Hashem and be happy in one's portion and appreciate the gifts that each of us are given as opposed to focusing on negativity - is one way to strengthen our emunah.

[Hadassa1]

I used to think of Bitachon as more of an inner and Simcha as more of an outer mitzvah. Seeing how the two are so connected really completes the picture-- how the interrelationship is causal with Simcha and Bitachon being the cause and effect of each other.

[miriam4]

so THAT'S  the secret to the happiness that I see on the faces of the special people I've met!