Does the Torah have Guidelines for Overcoming Worry?

Parashat Ve’zot Haberacha

We are What We Think 

Worry, worry, worry… is this a Jewish mother’s lot in life? We have already learned how fear and worry affect our health negatively. So, why can’t we stop worrying? Worry about something that may never even happen is allowing ourselves to suffer unnecessarily. Isn’t the suffering we already endure enough, that we must add additional, imaginative griefs? According to the law of attraction, fear and worry often become self-fulfilling prophecies. Our expectations about another person or entity, eventually result in the other person or entity acting in ways that confirm the expectations. This concept can also be explained i in relation toquantum physics, which has proven the connection between human consciousness and reality. All reality is made up of microscopic electrons and subatomic particles, and it is now scientifically proven that the human observer influences and determines the outcome of these particles by forcing the electron to assume a defined position. This discovery concurs with the Torah, as the wisest of all men said: “As he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Mishlei 23:7). In other words, “we are what we think.” Our thoughts are not just mere words, but they reflect feelings in our heart. When we think positive thoughts, while projecting positive vibes, people and things will respond in kind. The Talmud teaches us about Nachum Ish Gam Zu, who would continuously express his belief, that everything that happens is for the good (Ta’anit 21a). With this outlook, he was able to turn seemingly threatening situations into great victories and success on all levels. Likewise, the Ba’al Shem tov said: “Think good and it will be good.” Yet, even with this awareness, it’s so hard to keep the fears and worries at bay. In the last portion of the Torah – Parashat Ve’zot Haberacha, Moshe blesses all the tribes including the tribe of Binyamin – the youngest of Ya’acov’s sons. Moshe’s blessing praises Binyamin for dwelling securely with Hashem, beyond fears and worries. What can we learn from Binyamin about overcoming our own fears, worries, and anxieties? 

What Enabled Binayamin to live in Security beyond Fears?

ספר דברים פרק לג פסוק יב לְבִנְיָמִן אָמַר יְדִיד הָשֵׁם יִשְׁכֹּן לָבֶטַח עָלָיו חֹפֵף עָלָיו כָּל הַיּוֹם וּבֵין כְּתֵפָיו שָׁכֵן:

“Of Binyamin, he said, ‘Hashem’s beloved one shall dwell securely beside Him; He protects him all day long, and He dwells between his shoulders.' ” (Devarim 33:12). 

Binyamin had good reasons to feel secure, since the Shechina was with him, as the Temple was built in his portion. Ohr Hachayim explains, “may he dwell safely alongside Him.” Seeing that the Temple was in the territory of Binyamin, it is natural that that tribe should enjoy the greatest feeling of security. After all, who would dare attack the King, [Hashem who dwells in the Sanctuary]? Ba’al HaTurim adds that the phraseוּבֵין כְּתֵפָיו /uvein keteifav – “between his shoulders” (584) – is numerically equivalent to וּבִירוּשָׁלִַם/u’bi’Yerushalaim – ‘and in Jerusalem’ (584) – the place where Hashem’s shechina is revealed more than any other place in the world. Ramban shows us how each of the three parts of Binyamin’s blessing refers to one of the Temples: “…dwell securely beside Him…”  refers to the First Temple, as it says “…and the glory of Hashem filled the House” (Divre HaYamim II 7:1). “…He protects him all day long…” refers to the Second Temple because the Presence of G-d did not rest there, but rather only covered and shielded that place. “…and He dwells between his shoulders” refers to the days of the Mashiach, as it states, “At that time, they will call Jerusalem the Throne of Hashem…” (Yirmiyahu 3:17). Since the Holy Temple is dearer [to G-d] than [the Mishkan of] Shiloh [in Yosef’s portion], this explains why Binyamin’s blessing precedes that of his older brother, Yosef. We learn from all this that Binyamin’s trust in Hashem was interdependent with Hashem’s Shechina dwelling upon him. This gives us a clue as to how to develop bitachon (trust), which in return will help us overcome fear and worry.

What is Bitachon?

Bitachon, or trust and reliance on G-d, is feeling secure due to the knowledge of His control. 

“Fortunate is the man who places his full trust in Hashem…” (Tehillim 40:5). Does bitachon? require that we refrain from hishdatlut (exertions of effort on our own behalf), thus showing that we have complete trust that G-d will meet our needs?  We cannot rely on miracles, so we may not rely on Hashem to deliver food miraculously and directly into our hands. Bitachon also doesn’t mean that a person relies on Hashem’s salvation, without seeking healing. It’s a mitzvah to see a doctor (Baba Kama 85b). Having bitachon implies the belief that every penny we earn, every cure we receive, and every success we enjoy or failure we endure comes directly from Hashem.  Even when it comes about through an earthly agent, like a doctor, its source is only Hashem. Although King David invested his full effort in fighting his wars, he still realized that the triumph was ultimately not his doing but Hashem’s. The more it seems as if it was human effort that afforded us certain accomplishments, the greater the challenge to see how, Hashem is in charge of everything. I used to think that bitachon entails the firm belief that G-d will eventually turn everything around, to bring about the positive outcome for which we hope and pray. This implies believing that since everything is within the power of Heaven, divine intervention will transform a situation which may appear hopeless, as it states, “Even if a sword rests on a person’s neck, he must never give up the hope of salvation… (Rabbeinu Bachya ben Asher in Kad Ha-kemach). Yet, the Chazon Ish, holds that this is a childish outlook on bitachon: “Bitachon… has come to mean that a person is obligated to believe that whenever he is presented with two possible outcomes, one good and one not, then certainly it will turn out for the good. And if he has doubts and fears the worst, this constitutes a lack of trust. (Emuna U-vitachon, beginning of chapter 2). Thus, according to Chazon Ish, bitachon is to trust and accept that whatever the outcome – even if the least desired – G-d forbid, everything is according to G-d’s decree, which we may only understand in the future to come. I have now learned that although we are 100% in charge of our actions and 0% in charge of the outcome, which may or may not turn out according to our desires, it is preferable to choose Rabbeinu Bachya’s perspective since our belief in the positive outcome will help bring it about as we have explained. 

Between Emunah and Bitachon
Emunah and bitachon are similar; however, emunah is the general belief in Hashem and the truth of the Torah, whereas bitachon is our personal practical belief, and trust in Hashem, who supervises every detail of my life. Thus, emunah is ‘theory,’ while bitachon is ‘practice.’ It is easy to speak of trust when it is just in theory and not in practice. There is no bitachon without emunah. Yet, it is possible for a person to have emunah without bitachon. For example, if a person must make a long trip through dangerous territory, he may have emunah that Hashem will help him, and that all will work out well in the end. Still, he could be experiencing a tingling nervousness and fear, which is a natural reaction to an unknown, frightening situation. This does not detract from his emunah, yet it does imply that he still hasn’t attained full bitachon. When we have complete bitachon, we do not know fear, as it says, “Behold G-d is my salvation; I trust and will not fear” (Yesha’yahu 12:2). When Ya’acov became afraid, he prayed to Hashem to strengthen his bitachon. After his tefilah (prayer), Hashem granted his request, and he was no longer afraid. This demonstrates the tremendous power of tefilah. Whenever we are overcome with fear, let us pray that Hashem strengthen our bitachon (based on Rav Shimon Schwab, Lecture to Yarche Kalla, Washington Hts. January 1987 (Teves 5747). b.stevens.edu/golem/llevine/rsrh/bitachon.pdf) 

Guidelines for Overcoming Worry by Strengthening Bitachon

The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, in his Igros Hakodesh, gives helpful guidelines for overcoming worry. The best way to counter worry is by boosting our bitachon. We must cultivate the belief that Hashem, who is the Essence of Goodness, supervises each of us with individual Divine providence and that “All that G‑d does, He does for the good” (Berachot 60b). However, since “Everything is in the hands of Heaven, except for the fear of Heaven” (Berachot 33b), it follows that we must be concerned about improving our behavior, to reflect “I was created to serve my Master….” (Kiddushin 82a). Inculcating that everything else is in G‑d’s benevolent hands, leaves no room for worry. To this end, the Rebbe recommends careful study of the topic bitachon in our sacred writings, especially Sha’ar HaBitachon in Sefer Chovot HaLevavot. In addition, he recommends learning Tehillim 23 – (the chapter that begins: “Hashem is my shepherd, I shall lack nothing,”) with many of the commentaries, and reviewing it from time to time (Igros Kodesh, Vol. XVII, p. 100). This Tehillim also includes, “Even when I walk in the valley of darkness, I will fear no evil for You are with me…” (verse 4). When I am faced with fears, I often chant this verse over and over to calm my nerves and those of my emunahealing clients. Learning about bitachon, will help us recognize the harm of negative thoughts and worry, to totally eradicate them. Surprisingly, the Rebbe, rather than advising us to negate harmful thoughts through internal debate and proofs, instructs us to work on completely ignoring them. “Should you find it difficult to free yourself of these thoughts, one bit of sound advice is to alter your thoughts, occupying your mind with matters that have absolutely nothing at all to do with your previous [injurious] thoughts… just think about something completely different…” (Igros Kodesh, Vol. V, p. 242). Reciting the bedtime Keriat Shema is helpful to ward off anxious thoughts, and so is reciting tehillim in general. If a person is repeatedly worried, the Rebbe advises checking the mezuzos, to assure that they are all kosher (Igros Kodesh, Vol. VI, p. 94). 

Experiencing Hashem’s Closeness Will Wipe Away Fear and Worry

In conclusion, the level of our bitachon – with its power to overcome fear and worry – depends on how much we have inculcated Hashem’s presence in our lives. One thing is to have emunah that Hashem is running the show.  Another thing is to develop bitachon by bringing this emunah into our guts and even our reflexes. This is a lifelong work. “It is not your duty to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it. May the Holy Temple be rebuilt speedily in our days!”  (Pirkei Avot 2:16). Then experiencing Hashem’s closeness will wipe away every fear and worry. May it be soon!