Today we will discuss a pasuk in Tehilim 56,4,
י֥וֹם אִירָ֑א אֲ֝נִ֗י אֵלֶ֥יךָ אֶבְטָֽח׃
On the day, I fear I rely on You. The sefer Binah L’Ittim writes, in the second derush on Shabbat HaGadol, “On the day that I fear, and I realize that I'm not in charge (that’s why I'm afraid), then I can rely on Hashem. Because the fact that I realized that I'm not in charge arouses Hashem’s supervision and His wonders and miracles upon me.
This is an important rule that we've discussed in the past- bitachon does not just mean that a person is complacent, that we sit back as if there are no problems in the world. That's not what bitachon is. Bitachon means that I realize the severity of the situation. I realize there are dangers out there, and then I focus on Hashem Who will take care of me, because He is in charge of everything.
The Brisker Rav explains that that’s why Rosh Hashanah is a day of fear, and at the same time, a day of reliance on Hashem. Because if we don't arouse fear in ourselves, then it's not real bitachon. Right now, as you read this, no one has bitachon that they won't be in a tidal wave or an earthquake or a mudslide. You're sitting comfortably wherever you are, and you don't even have a concern. It’s only where a concern exists that can we evoke our bitachon in that area.
In the sefer Shaarim B’Tefila, by Rabbi Shimshon Pincus, on the topic of calling out to Hashem, he quotes the Brisker Rav, and says that the Brisker Rav would act on this. In times of danger, the Brisker Rav would arouse fear in the people and say, We're in trouble. When there's a potential for war, we shouldn’t brush it off and say, “Nah, it’s okay.” When there is danger, we can't just walk around serene and peaceful and say it's going to be fine. We're in danger. In his sefer Tiferet Shimshon on Vayikra, he says, “I heard from the Brisker Rav’s son that when there was danger, he would constantly remind his children of the danger. He would say, ‘They're coming to kill us!’” Because the second you forget the trouble, the second you weaken and say, “It's gonna be okay,” you're no longer relying on Hashem.
When a person has a challenge in his business, he shouldn’t say, “Everything will be okay.” No, it’s not going to be okay. It might be terrible! And once I recognize that, I rely on Hashem- that’s Bitachon.
During the Gulf War there was fear of Iran sending scud missiles into Israel, and there was no Iron Dome back then. Missiles were shot, and missiles did land. Baruch Hashem, they generally missed their targets and landed in open fields. But before Iran sent their missiles out, there was fear of chemical warfare. I remember certain people said it would be okay, not to worry, but Rav Shach said that was wrong.. He said said that before World War II. ‘Don't worry. Everything will be okay.’ Well, he said, “We don't know if it's going to be okay. It might be terrible. Things could happen.” And people got scared. He obviously did it for this reason, because you have to realize that bad things can happen. And then, when you start getting nervous, then it's going be okay. But if you're complacent and you have no fear, that's a problem.
Another point from this pasuk is that the pasuk literally says,
י֥וֹם אִירָ֑א אֲ֝נִ֗י אֵלֶ֥יךָ אֶבְטָֽח׃
On a day of fear, I to You rely.
It should really say, I rely on You. I don't rely to You. Many commentaries explain that it can be translated both ways. But the sefer Semach Sadik, from the first Vizhnitzer Rebbi, Mendel Hager, (1830 to 1884) asks a different question. Why does it say Yom Irah/On the day of fear,
Ani/ I rely on You?
He explains that when a person feels afraid, he gets down. But he needs a little bit of what he calls Gadlut/ a little bit of greatness. Therefore, it says “Ani/I.” There's a bit of gaava, a bit of strength and arrogance because there's a concept that you have to be uplifted your heart in the ways of God. You can't just be down and depressed.
So, Yom Irah, Ani Elecha Evtach/On the day of fear, I'm going rely to You. Ultimately, in all our successes, we want them in order to serve Hashem properly. Therefore, I go with courage knowing that I'm trying to do the will of God. Therefore, Elecha/to You I rely, because I'm going towards You. I am relying that You're going to help me, and pull me through this.
So again,
Yom Irah/it's that day of fear. I realize it's dangerous. Whether due to war, health, business, etc…
Ani/I, pick myself up. I am a somebody but
Elecha/I'm going towards You
and that's going to bring my success.