Rabbernu Bachya concludes the last gate of Shaar Habitachon with a Tefila for each of us:  "May H'shem in His mercy set us among those who trust in Him, who surrender- outwardly and inwardly - to His judgement Amen" The Gate of Trust is completed,  for GD , the last and the first. " ph 471 I am completely overwhelmed with emotion having been able to walk with you through this journey.  Because of you I have gained a deeper appreciation of Bitachon and I Daven to be able to continue my growth.  The work of Trusting in H'shem is one that must be reviewed and strengthen on a daily basis and so  we will now begin again and BE"H gain an even deeper level of Trust, Understanding, and Love for H'shem.  I am confident that we will be celebrating the coming of Moshiach before we reach our second completion BE"H.  We will celebrate and rejoice together knowing we did this Kodosh work for our Creator and having been able to gain a greater and deeper...

The level of wanting to be in the presence of H'shem at all times, to think only of Him and yearn only for him with out any concern for reward or worldly pleasures is the highest level among those that trust in H'shem.  This is the level of the prophets, pious and H'shem's pure elite.  We have reviewed and completed with Siyat Dishmaya the ten levels of trust that anyone who trust in H'shem will have reached one of these levels. They are : Trust, Support, Hope, Refuge, Expectation, Awaiting , Reliance, Dependence, Help, Confidence. pg 471

When his maturity reaches the level of understanding the real purpose of this world and how temporary  it is he "will commit himself- in thought, soul and body- to GD may He be exalted".  He will yearn for and treasure the moments he can think of H'shem when he is alone.  He will feel empty when his mind wonders away from H'shem.  Even when he is among others his desire will be to only think of H'shem and please Him.  The love he will have for H'shem will be by far greater then any worldly enjoyment even the yearning for Olam Haba. pg 469

When a person's intellect matures even more and he comes to realize the devotion and love H'shem has for his creations, his level of trust will grow as well.   He will come to completely accept in his heart and his words whatever it is H'shem has chosen for him in life.  Whatever H'shem has granted or held back from him,  inflicted or showered on him he is happy and would not want anything other then what H'shem has decided is best for him.  "He will be completely devoted to GD and will surrender his soul and body to His judgment"  Wherever he is in life with what ever he has, is exactly where he wants to be since it is GD that put him there. pg 469

If a person focuses on GD as he matures he will come to trust in Him in  matters  that he has some control over such as a livelihood.  His trust will grow and he will realize that he does not have to  use extraneous means and difficulties to earn a livelihood since it is in GD's hands.  When he builds his trust even further he will come to trust in Him in all matters and his goal in everything  will be to serve the Creator, and fulfill his commandments. pg 469

When a person is dependent on someone else, such as an employer, his trust for his Security, and livelihood goes to them.   Only once he matures and realizes that all other individuals including his employer are deficient and must rely on the Creator he then comes to put his trust in Him.  "He transfers his trust to Him and relies on Him in matters beyond  his control and in which he has  no alternative but to surrender to the Divine decree."  Such as naturals disasters, the weather, ... areas that man has absolutely no control. 467/469

The story is told of one of the pious whose neighbor, a skilled scribe, supported himself from what he earned in the practice of the art.  One day the pious man asked his neighbors, "How are you  faring?"  "Fine", he said,  " so long as my arm is sound'" that very evening he shattered his arm, and he could not write with it for the rest of his life.  It was Divine retribution for having placed his trust in his arm." pg 467

When a child is born, Rabbenu Bachya teaches us, he puts his trust and focus on his mother’s milk.   Only once he realizes that it is his mother that loves him and showers him with attention does he then desire her.   When the child grows an realizes his father is respected by his mother and the stronger protective figure, he then begins to desire him.   When he grows older he gains his independence and can support himself., he lacks the understanding that H’shem was always the one feeding, loving, protecting and supporting him, so he foolishly begins to rely on his own talents and strengths. pg 467

"The more one knows GD and has faith in His protective care and abounding providence the more trust one has in Him."  Rabbenu Bachya brings a parable to explain this idea.  The closer one is to the source the more power he has.  Imagine a decree sent down by the King.  Although the one carrying out the decree looks like he has the most power in essence the further away he is from the King the less power he has.  It is our job to grow closer to the source and disregard the messengers. pg 465/467

Detrimental to being able to trust in H'shem is being ignorant in His Torah.  Within the Torah  there are explicit commandments to rely and trust in Him. pg 465

Rabbenu Bachya will now discuss what would be detrimental to trust in H'shem.  We have discussed previously some conditions, Rabbenu Bachya now adds  "Ignorance of the Creator and his good attributes.  For whoever fails to appreciate the Creator's compassion for His creatures, His protection of them, His providence, dominion and control over them, will not be confident in Him and will not rely on Him." pg 465

One only takes a pledge from someone if they have the goods to back it up.  They must have the ability to pay back  what they are asking for in advance.  How could a person possibly ask for an advance from GD when he can not even pay for all that he has already received.  The only way he would be able to "pay GD back" is if GD gave him the ability, means and time to do it.  pg 463

One who trusts in his friend and knows he is a "Bal Chesed" instead of asking for a pledge would trust that he will be provided for .  Were he to know that his friend was so kind hearted and generous that he would receive everything he needs even earlier then expected, and double for trusting in him  he would never dare ask for anything in advance as that would be a sure sign of mistrust.   How much more so the Creator of the world.  He has shown more kindness then any existing being, and rewards for the smallest acts abundantly.  How ashamed one should be to demand a pledge from Him. pg 463

The essential point in someone taking a pledge is tranquility.  He wants to ensure  that all his needs will be provided for and he will not have to worry. This idea is false since he has no guarantee he will be able to hold on to the money, what he would need or what may happen in his life.  Even a greater point is the idea that if all his material needs were taken care of he would be satisfied and have peace of mind. Rabbenu Bachya teaches us " Material wealth is a lie, and betrays ignorance of what he wishes to attain for on  the contrary it could be a major cause of worry and anxiety." pg461/463

There are three reasons says Rabbenu Bachya, a person would as for a pledge from one he is trusting to support him. For fear that he will lose his money and be unable to support him. He would become stingy and refuse to pay him. For fear that he would die or disappear before paying him. These would be an understandable way to enter into a relationship with  a human partner.  When we are referring though to the Master of the Universe that none of the above apply too "it is much more shameful and absurd to demand a pledge from Him." pg 461

"Why then do I find you seeking from Him provisions for years ahead, (years)  which you may not live to see?  You ask that He provide you in advance with maintenance for you wife and children - who do not yet exist.    (   Provisions for your)  basic needs alone is not enough for you;  rather you want to be provided in advance with basics and luxuries for an indefinite period, for which you have no guarantee (of life).   Not only do you not render service to Him in advance but you fail to make personal accounting of your neglect of His service in the past times when HE NEVER NEGLECTED TO PROVIDE YOU WITH YOUR NEEDS." pg461

"My friend!  Is it possible that the Creator would ask you to preform, today tomorrows duties, duties due a year or several years from now?...The Creator, has promised you for every definitive  period a certain provision, and in return for it you are bound to a definitive service.  Just as he does not demand service from you before its time so should a scene of shame restrain you from asking for (the granting of) provisions before it's time. pg459/461

One only takes a pledge from someone if he believes they owe him.  Never would one take a pledge from someone that he owes.  How much more so when it comes to the Creator of the Universe who at every moment of every day supports us, sustains us, provides for us and protects us.  As Rabbenu Bachya writes " If all the good works of all the people throughout history were to be credited to one individual, all these would not suffice to repay the Creator for even one of His favors towards him."  How ridiculous then would it be for someone who already owes more then he has to the Creator to then ask for a pledge and put himself in more debt.  In his lifetime he would never be able to repay all the good that H'shem has done for him. pg 459

Were a person to demand a pledge  from someone he would have to make guidelines.  There would need to be limitations in the amounts and conditions.  That in turn would make him even more unsettled since he has no idea what will happen in his lifetime, what his needs would be and how long he would live.  pg459 Very often our fear dictates to us that we have to insure ourselves a security.  This practice is the exact opposite of Bitachon.  When you demand something, believing that you know better or that you need a grantee you may very well get it.  Were you to have trusted in H'shem you would have gotten so much more.

If a servant would ask for a pledge or deposit for his work that would be ridiculous and unheard of.  Someone who has pride knows that the service itself is the payment and the reward and the sustenance is for survival. pg 457

Rabbenu Bachya will now begin a series that refutes those who do not trust in H'shem and do not see all the Creator does for him. Rabbenu Bachya uses the example here of the absurdity  of one who would take a pledge or security from his employee for his salary.   No one would ask for a deposit from his employee before working for him.  He writes "A servant should not insist on receiving from his master a security for his maintenance before beginning to serve him, still less should a creature demand a pledge from his Creator, before beginning to serve Him. pg457 

One who trust in H'shem " Does not grieve if denied a request or if deprived of something he loves"  He happily uses what he has today and does not worry about having for tomorrow as he knows his future is completely in H'shem's hands.  As Rabbenu Bachya writes "He trust in GD that He will lengthen his days and provide his livelihood and daily bread"  Rather then being preoccupied with materialism and comforts he is constantly trying to improve himself inwardly and outwardly knowing that this world is merely a stepping stone with no time grantee.  One who does not trust in H'shem acts as thought he can control how long he has on Olam Hazeh and is constantly involved with indulging and saving for the comforts of this world. If asked  how he has prepared himself for Olam Habba he would answer that only after all  his material needs and those of the people that depend on him are taken care of, that is when he will have time to prepare for it. pg 455/4...