Building Trust

Shemoth 14:15-16

Why are you crying out to me, speak to the Children of Israel and they will travel. And you shall lift up your staff and stretch out your arm over the sea and split it, and the Children of Israel will come into the sea on dry land.

All that happened to the Children of Israel in the wilderness was a test to enable them to grow in their trust in G-d (Bitahon), because this is the root of faith (Emunah). The purpose was to make them fit to receive the Torah. This also explains why G-d did not split the entire sea in one go. Instead, as they advanced into it, the sea split in front of them.

Furthermore, after they had been in the desert for three days, any water, when they came to Marah, the sweet water became bitter and they couldn’t drink it. Then G-d told Moshe Rabbenu to throw the tree in the water, and when he did, it became sweet again. Another example is the Manna from Heaven, which came day-by-day, as it was needed, and not in larger quantities which could
be stored.

All these actions had the effect of causing them to build up their trust in G-d. Would He continue to split the sea at the next step? Would the water become drinkable again? Would there be food to eat tomorrow?

In Od Yosef Hai, Hakham Yoseph Hayyim says that there are three levels of Bitahon in G-d:

The lowest level is when a person is undergoing hardship and he hopes and trusts that G-d will save him, but this trust is somewhat shaky. He has doubts and worry that it may not work out.

The second level is that the person has complete trust in G-d. He is not worried or troubled, but is confident that G-d will perform a miracle to save him. Part of the reason is that past experience has shown him that when he has troubles he is saved. The only problem is that he keeps this trust concealed without making it known to others.

The Gemara of Ta’anith (24b) tells a story about the wife of Ribbi Hanina Ben Dosa. Ribbi Hanina Ben Dosa would survive on a kab of carobs from one Shabbath to another. Every Friday his wife would light the oven and throw twigs into it to produce smoke, so that she would not be shamed that they had no food to eat. She had a wicked neighbor who said to herself, “I know that they have nothing, why is she putting on this show?” She went and knocked at the door. Ribbi Hanina’s wife, who was embarrassed, ran into another room. But a miracle occurred. The neighbor opened the oven and found that it was overflowing with bread. She shouted to Ribbi Hanina’s wife, “Come quickly and take the bread out of the oven; it’s about to burn.” Ribbi Hanina’s wife came and said, “I just went to bring the utensil to remove the bread.” A Tanna taught that she actually had gone to bring the utensil because she was used to miracles occurring for her.

Is it possible that she lied out of embarrassment? Hakham Yosef Hayyim says that that was not the case at all. On the contrary, as the Tanna mentioned, since she was so sure that G-d would perform a miracle for her, she went running to get the utensils to remove the bread.

One might think this is the highest level of trust, but in fact, this trust was only kept in her heart and not shared with others. As a result, it is not the highest level.

The third and highest level is when a person has complete trust in G-d, that he will perform a miracle for him, but even before the miracle occurs, he already spreads the word to others that a miracle is about to take place. He is even willing to perform some kind of action to prove that a miracle will occur for him.

This can be illustrated by the story about Hakham Moshe Galante, who was a rabbi in Jerusalem and the first Rishon LeSion. He studied with Maran Yosef Qaro, z”l, and was the teacher of the Peri Hadash.

One winter there had been no rain. The wells were dry and all the three religions in Jerusalem were praying for rain. The Pasha went to Rabbi Moshe Galante, who was the head of the rabbis, and told him, “You claim that you are the chosen people, and it is on account of you that the heavens are closed.” He gave him an ultimatum that he should prove that they are the chosen people by bringing the rain. If the rain did not come in three days, all the Jews would be thrown out of Israel.

For three days they cried, fasted, and prayed. On the third day, before sunset, Hakham Moshe Galanti gathered everyone to go to the grave of Rabbi Shim’on Hassaddiq. He instructed them to bring rain hats, coats, and boots, because on the way back it would start raining.

Even though the sun was blazing in the sky with not a cloud to be seen, they all listened to him, even though they were obviously surprised. As they left the Bab Il Ammud (Damascus gate) of Jerusalem, the guard on duty looked at this procession of people, all dressed as if it were pouring; he couldn’t stop laughing. When they told him that the Rabbi prophesied about the rain, he got angry and slapped the Rabbi in his face.

Hakham Galanti looked at him without responding and continued on his way. They arrived at the grave and started crying. Hakham Galanti whispered to the grave and suddenly a strong wind started blowing. Dark clouds gathered and soon there was a downpour. Everyone covered themselves with their rain gear. The guard came running and fell upon the feet of the Hakham and begged him to forgive him and carried him back to city on his arms.

For three days and nights the rain did not stop. People danced and celebrated. Both the Moslems and the Christians admitted that the rain came because of the Jewish people because He answers their prayers.

On the fourth day, the guard came to the Rabbi and asked him to convert him and let him be his servant.

In order for G-d to perform the miracle of splitting the sea, the Jewish people had to show their trust at the third and highest level. By walking into the sea to the point that they would drown, they demonstrated publicly and unequivocally their trust in G-d that He would perform a miracle for them.

Rabbi Ya’aqob Menashe is a renowned author and lecturer, whose Shiurim continue to inspire thousands around the world. Many can be seen at www.NonstopTorah.com. His daily Torah Minutes are eagerly anticipated by thousands every morning. They can be seen at www.ATorahMinute.com. Rabbi Menashe is the spiritual leader of Midrash BEN ISH HAI. More information is available at the Midrash website,
www. Midrash.org.