Gates of Trust by Rabbi Mendel Kaplan

Moving into the fifth dimension of seven pragmatic Trust Distinctions, we continue to focus on practical behavioral divides between one who successfully nurtures a proper, healthy and balanced Bitachon welt Anschauung and the person who relies on their own wherewithal, talents and efforts. Episode Five of the Fifth Chapter is entitled "CHOOSE YOUR FATE" clearly illustrates how Trust mindfulness im...

Concluding the third dimension of seven pragmatic Trust Distinctions, as we move on to the fourth arena. Both emphasizing practical behavioral divide (in addition to attitude, theory, and theology) between the one who trust, and the one who doesn't! Episode Four of the Fifth Chapter, entitled "THE GIVER" demonstrates a huge practical difference caused by the possession real, clear Bitachon! After...

As we enter the third dimension of seven pragmatic Trust Distinctions, we move to transcend attitudes, feelings, and the nature of our relationship with G-d. Episode Three of the Fifth Chapter, entitled "SAME DIFFERENCE" presents the next big difference between possessing Bitachon or not. For although the course of action may seem identical, a world of difference will ultimately emerge! From here...

Studying Sha’ar HaBitachon, Rabbeinu Bachaya's "Gate of Trust" ~ the Timeless Torah Tome that can teach US ALL How to Conquer Anxiety and Live with Tranquility! ___________________________ This segment about Trust Differences features an in-depth analysis of the second of seven pragmatic Trust Distinctions. Episode Two of the Fifth Chapter, entitled "GREATER PEACE OF MIND" continues to illustrate...

This Episode opens the study of Chapter Five that focuses of seven pragmatic Trust Distinctions. Part One of this new chapter, aptly entitled "THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US" will begin to illustrate the practical differences between the person possessing Bitachon and the person who doesn’t by highlighted who remains calm, and maintains equilibrium in time good, and bad alike! For although, everyone is...

After demonstrating that relying on Hashem regarding Heaven is a necessary component in Faithful Bitachon, we continued to explore the concept of Trusting in Heavenly Rewards. "WE CAN BE HEROES" concludes our study of the seventh and climatic category of Bitachon, and the longest Chapter of the Gate of Trust! Uniquely focusing on Modeling Behavior -- learning about past spiritual greatness; we sho...

Studying Sha’ar HaBitachon, Rabbeinu Bachaya's "Gate of Trust" ~ the Timeless Torah Tome that can teach US ALL How to Conquer Anxiety and Live with Tranquility! ___________________________ After demonstrating that relying on Hashem regarding Heaven is a necessary component in Faithful Bitachon, we continued to explore the concept of Trusting in Heavenly Rewards. In this new Episode entitled: "BEYO...

In our previous Episode we presented clear biblical proof that relying on Hashem regarding Heaven is a necessary component in Faithful Bitachon. Now, in "PAYCHECK: Remember the Future!" we will continue to explore the meaning of Trusting in Heavenly Rewards. Our newfound understanding will enable the application of Bitachon with regard to Mitzvot (G-d's Commandments) and the Rewards (and consequen...

Studying Sha’ar HaBitachon, Rabbeinu Bachaya's "Gate of Trust" ~ the Timeless Torah Tome that can teach US ALL How to Conquer Anxiety and Live with Tranquility! ___________________________ Having completed a profound and multi-dimensional explanation as to why Olam Haba (the Afterlife) is not described, or even mentioned (explicitly) in our Tanach (Jewish Bible), we are now finally ready to return...

THE ULTIMATE GIFT is the Final Word on the surprising omission of Heavenly Reward from the Tanach, our Jewish Bible. Here, we will complete the development and full articulation of Rabbeinu Bachaya's unique and wide-ranging theological rational behind the biblical blackout on on Gan Eden and Gehinnom that has already spanned 12 (!) Episodes -- spelling it out six separate dimensions. Bitachon Prea...

Now that we've finished presenting the proof on "Pleading the Fifth," in Bitachon Preamble XII - entitled THE SIXTH SENSE - we present a Motion to Close the Case! After no less than five detailed explanations for the Biblical Gag Order on Gan Eden and Gehinnom we now move to Close the Case by highlighting a Sixth Sense about Life in the 'Here and Now' in sharp contrast with the 'Afterlife in Heave...

Bitachon Preamble XI, entitled {PROOF} follows up with our immediate past Episode in which we Plead the Fifth! In this 56th segment of the fourth chapter we carefully examine Rabbeinu Bachaya's offering of proof for his Pleading the Fifth to explain the Biblical Gag Order on Gan Eden and Gehinnom by contextualizing things in the frame of public vs private. Simply stated: drawing differentiation be...

Bitachon Preamble X, entitled PUBLIC vs PRIVATE has us Pleading the Fifth! The 55th segment of Chapter Four details yet a fifth approach to making sense of the glaring biblical omission of Paradise and Purgatory! This novel way to view the concept of Divine Remuneration and Retribution frames the subject in the context of activities that enjoy high visibility in contrast with undetected, covert “b...

This Episode, aptly entitled TRUTH and JUSTICE, concludes the Fourth approach to understanding why our "Written Word" [of G-d, e. g. The Bible] pointedly doesn't explicitly mention neither Heaven nor Hell! The final offering of the Fourth Dimension, comprising 'Bitachon Preamble IX' of our series, zeroes in on explaining Punishment in the Afterlife to complete this unique line of reasoning for the...

FAR FROM HEAVEN II continues Bitachon Preamble VII that presents The Fourth Dimension on understanding why the "Written Torah" (e. g. The Bible) doesn't even contain as much a hint about the concept of Paradise and the Afterlife! Segment 53 of Chapter Four further articulates the fourth approach to understanding the reason for the Gag-order on Gan Eden; rationalizing the Biblical Blackout on Heave...

FAR FROM HEAVEN I opens the Bitachon Preamble VII with The Fourth Dimension on the mysterious Scriptural Silence on Paradise and the proverbial World to Come! In this fifty-second consecutive segment of chapter four we will begin to explore yet a fourth unique approach to solving reason for the Biblical Blackout on Heavenly Reward and Punishment. Although Rabbainu Bachaya has already presented thr...

In Part One of "CHILDREN OF HEAVEN," we were introduced to a novel way to view the surprising Scriptural Silence on Paradise and the proverbial World to Come! Part Two of the same title comprises the fifty-first consecutive segment of chapter four. Inasmuch as it features the continuation of the third reason, it takes its place in the series as Bitachon Preamble VI. To explain the silence on Heave...

Sha’ar HaBitachon - Episode 123 , - ~ ! In Part One of "CHILDREN OF HEAVEN," we were introduced to a novel way to view the surprising Scriptural Silence on Paradise and the proverbial World to Come! Part Two of the same title comprises the fifty-first consecutive segment of chapter four. Inasmuch as it features the continuation of the third reason, it takes its place in the series as Bitachon Prea...

Sha’ar HaBitachon - Episode 122 , - ~ ! In the immediate past Episode, we addressed the notable exception to the Biblical Blackout on What Happens in Heaven. Now, in our Forty-ninth Episode of Chapter Four we move onto the next reason. Entitled "FAITH OF OUR FATHERS," in Bitachon Preamble IV we return to the subject itself with an all-new approach to understanding Scriptural Silence on Paradise an...

Sha’ar HaBitachon - Episode 121 , - ~ ! Chapter Four, Part Forty-eight features Bitachon Preamble III on what we were told about Heaven in one of the rare exceptions of the otherwise biblical blackout on Paradise and the proverbial World to Come! Entitled "WALKING WITH ANGELS" this Episode focuses on a most unusual explicit reference about the nature of spiritual reward in the afterlife. Here, Rab...

Sha’ar HaBitachon - Episode 120 , - ~ ! Having already (albeit briefly) addressed the idea of Consequences and Remuneration in "This World," we shift our focus onto the concept of Punishment and Reward in the Afterlife, or Olam Haba (the "Next World"). In sharp contrast to the consequences described in the "Here and Now" when it comes to Gan Eden (Paradise, or Heaven) surprisingly enough the Torah...

Sha’ar HaBitachon - Episode 119 , - ~ ! FOR THE REWARD” opens with Bitachon Preambles the idea of applying Trust with regard to the Torah truisms of G-d’s faithful guarantee to Remunerate Righteousness; namely rewarding people for Mitzvah activities and spiritual service to Hashem. Having concluded addressing how to apply Bitachon (e.g., relying on Hashem) when it comes to the things Hashem made u...

Sha’ar HaBitachon - Episode 118 , - ~ ! Completing the thesis of applying Trust in situations of Mitzvah activities and spiritual matters (especially when there are others involved and anonymity isn’t an option) with a final important note on how we should view success at their fulfilment. Following clear guidance in effectively balancing Bitachon and Bechira – especially when you aren't the only...

Sha’ar HaBitachon - Episode 117 , - ’ ~ ! Continuing to show us how to apply Trust in situations of Mitzvah activities and spiritual matters when others are involved! As we've learnt at length, balancing the spiritual values of Bitachon and Bechira is a tough act that becomes even more difficult when you aren't the only one in the arena. In the immediate previous Episode, we began to delineate whe...

Sha’ar HaBitachon - Episode 116 , - -- ~ ! -- continues to teach us how to apply Trust and rely on G-d, in situations of Mitzvah activities and spiritual matters when others are Involved! In Part I we illustrated how and why applying Bitachon in areas warranting Bechira (mandated moral choices) to serve Hashem when others are involved and directly impacted is radically different than placing our T...