Gates of Trust by Rabbi Mendel Kaplan

Epilogue – The Summit of Trust Unshakable: Bitachon Beyond the Text After an inspiring journey through every page of Rabbainu Bachya's Sha'ar HaBitachon—the timeless "Gate of Trust"—we now stand at the summit, where learning turns into living. This special Epilogue Episode steps back to reveal the panoramic view: what Bitachon truly means once the book is closed, when the tests are real, and life...

Chapter Seven | Segment Ten | Episode #164 – The Siyum, Grand Finale! In this climactic final class of the Shaar HaBitachon series, we bring our epic journey to a close by exploring the deeper meaning behind the ten distinct Hebrew terms for Bitachon (trust) found in Scripture. At first glance, Rabbeinu Bachya’s list may appear poetic or rhetorical. But upon deeper reflection, a profound truth eme...

Episode Title: PINNACLE OF TRUST Chapter Seven | Segment Nine | Class 163 in the Trust Series In this climactic class, we reach the ultimate, rarified apex of authentic Bitachon—a transcendent level of trust in Hashem that surpasses all that came before. Here, Rabbeinu Bachaya introduces us to a person who has fully actualized their spiritual potential—an individual whose entire being is focused s...

In this eighth segment of Chapter Seven, we continue ascending into the rarified heights of authentic Bitachon—genuine trust in Hashem. This new episode, A WORKING MAN, profiles a person who has grown far beyond the average mindset of self-reliant human beings who think they control their own fate. This individual knows that Hashem alone is the true Provider yet also understands the Torah imperati...

In this seventh segment of chapter seven -- we continue with Part II of THE TRUST LADDER that delineates the different steps taken in the development of true Bitachon. The new Episode, JUST A MEASURE OF FAITH sees the person who matures slowly being to ascend the Ladder of Faith, rung by rung, in measured fashion. Although only circumstantially inspired to begin to take note of Divine Providence a...

Moving on from the theme of the opening four Episodes of chapter seven -- which focused on identifying the obstacles in developing, and/or maintaining of our Bitachon -- we now move on to THE TRUST LADDER documenting rising levels within Bitachon. Yet, per previously, just as shortsighted, faithless perspectives of Divine management, and the cause and effect of things are an impediment to acquirin...

Continuing the theme of the previous Episodes --troubleshooting the "Trust Issues" likely to inhibit, impede, or interrupt Bitachon development of our -- in this new Episode, CAUSE AND EFFECT we focus on the final obstacle: attributing things to their immediate seeming causes, and ignoring Hashem, the true cause of everything. Rabbainu Bachaya chooses to demonstrate the folly, and absurdity of thi...

In the first three Episodes of Chapter Seven, we focused successively on highlighting several possible "Trust Issues." All are things that can confound, inhibit, impede, or interrupt the healthy development of our Bitachon -- in one way or another. The implicit purpose of identifying these issues was to enable the shedding these debilitating notions so don't continue to erode the proper and desire...

In the opening Episodes of Chapter Seven, we focused on identifying a few faith fallibilities that inhibit, impede, and interrupt the development of our Bitachon. The highlighting of faulty Faith Foundations frees us to remedy these debilitating notions that erode healthy nurturing of trust, disabling us from build our Bitachon on solid footings. In correcting notions -- stemming mostly from misco...

In the previous [inaugural] Episode of Chapter Seven, we began by highlighting the kinds of wrongheaded ideals, and spiritually deficient attitudes that necessarily impede healthy nurturing of appropriate Faith Foundations. We learnt about misconceptions that confound our understanding of Hashem's oneness, notions that disable us from seeing the Creator's kindness, and weaken our resolve in proper...

In the previous chapters, Rabbainu Bachaya clarified the nature of Trust in Hashem; by defining precisely what it is, isn't, and explaining why it's an important part of our spiritual composition. He also gave us Torah-true methodologies by virtue of which we can successfully develop and implement Bitachon in our day-to-day life. Yet, in the same way that there are elements that best facilitate th...

The ninth, and final Episode of Chapter Six, presents the Seventh and last of the "Truth Bombs" on Bitachon. Euphemistically entitled "DELIVERY HOUR" to represent the idea that certainty of timing or the successful delivery of one's promises are anything but guaranteed -- an important message that concludes the entire chapter. Chasidic teachings and stories serve to fully illustrate this lesson. Y...

The Eighth Episode of Chapter Six, aptly entitled "THE GOLD STANDARD" encapsulates the message of the Sixth "Truth Bomb" on Bitachon. This class has been sponsored by Betty Fluss, Jessica Fox and Amy Galperin to commemorate the Yarzheit of their husband and father Dovid Ben Shaul OBM It comprises the 153rd consecutive Episode teaching you how to best nurture your Trust in G-d to Conquer Anxiety. F...

In the seventh segment of Chapter Six, "THE GUARANTEE," we unpack the Fifth "Truth Bomb" illustrating how the Terms and Conditions that typically apply in fostering peace of mind are entirely inapplicable here. As such, when it comes to the fulfillment of our sacred duty to place unwavering Trust in Hashem and committing ourselves to His service -- absolutely no guarantees, terms, or conditions of...

In the sixth segment of Chapter Six, "WRONG REASONS," we move onto the Fourth "Truth Bomb" about the inappropriateness of setting pre-conditions of financial security before placing Trust in and dedicating ourselves to the service of Hashem. Listing the three reasons people might ask for security from a debtor, Rabbainu Bachaya demonstrates how obviously wrong and inapplicable any of these reasons...

Segment Five of Chapter Six, "DUE DATE," is a most unusual continuation of the previously articulated second and third "Truth Bombs" about the inappropriateness of our setting pre-conditions of financial security before placing Trust in Hashem. Introducing a real-life interaction between a Sage and ordinary citizens, Rabbainu Bachaya adds clarity and greater emphasis on why this attitude is so unr...

Segment Four of Chapter Six, "OUTSTANDING DEBT II," is a continuation of Truth Bomb Three, further emphasizing just how egregious and inappropriate it is to have an expectation of financial security as a pre-condition to Trustingly serve Hashem! This Episode richly elaborates the brazen folly of expecting "perquisite prosperity" as the allowance for reliance on G-d and commitment to His service. R...

In the Third Episode of Chapter Six "ENDLESS EXPENSES | OUTSTANDING DEBTS" we move on to address the second and third response to the ill-conceived expectation of financial security as a pre-condition to placing Trust in, and choosing to, devote oneself to serving Hashem. The first of these next two refutations for the person seeking to obtain a guarantee of plenitude and prosperity, before 'throw...

In the second Episode of Chapter Six we continue to illustrate the foolishness of a the first of misguided approaches people tend to follow. The first of which is not to place their Trust in G-d, until they can obtain a guarantee that all will be arranged to their full satisfaction. Seeking to shine a bright light to expose the extreme folly of this attitude, Rabbainu Bachaya methodically debunks...

This Episode inaugurates our study of the Six Chapter of the Gate of Trust. At this point, the author feels compelled to demonstrate the folly of a common, yet entirely misguided approach to living which he titles: "Solicitors of Securities." Zeroing in on those who choose not to place their Trust in G-d -- until they get a guarantee from Him first, Rabbainu Bachaya calls this attitude foolish and...

This Episode features the Seventh Distinction Epilogue; the fourth and final segment on the seventh Trust Differences which also concludes the chapter on the profound distinctions between a living infused with Bitachon, vs a life bereft of it. Entitled "CHEATING DEATH," it's the climax of what we've already mapped out over the course of the past three episodes. With it, we wind down on the practic...

his Episode is the third take on spelling out the Trust Differences that are found in the seventh and final Faith Distinction. Entitled "ONE LAST DAY," it's a continued illustration of what was begun in the previous two episodes. This lengthier last thesis, winds down on Fifth Chapter, that highlights practical application of Bitachon . Broadly speaking, this Night Segment of this chapter continue...

The Seventh Distinction of Trust further highlights Bitachon Benefits; spelling out yet another area of pragmatic differentiation between possessing true Trust or not! This Episode, entitled "LIVING IN THE MOMENT," is Take Two of the Seventh and final Trust Difference that we began to illustrate in the previous Episode as we wind down on Fifth Chapter which is all about the Practical Application o...

The seventh dimension of Trust Distinctions continues to lucidly spells out benefits of Bitachon and the value added to your life when you have true Trust in Hashem. "FINDING TIME," opens the seventh and final Trust Difference as we move into the home stretch of the Fifth Chapter. Discover the freedoms that are yours to claim, and how you can choose to happily live life in the present tense, inste...

The sixth dimension of seven pragmatic Trust Distinctions demonstrates how having Bitachon can be the single most important ingredient empowering us to succeed in our interactions and relationships with others. Entitled "THE LIVES OF OTHERS," the Sixth Episode of the Fifth Chapter illustrates the glaring difference between those possessing a healthy sense of Trust, undergirding their emotional and...