There are two levels of trust. The first is to accept that any negative experiences we go through are challenges given to develop our inner strength. This is when we have to learn how to do whatever is necessary to overcome adversity; then we can start to see the things we need fall into place for us. But after a long time, as we continue to gain experience and develop a clearer understanding of the spiritual journey, life can begin to demand more from us.

Moses found this out in this week’s Parsha Chukat, when he hit the rock to get water, instead of speaking to it as he was told to do. Hitting the rock had worked before, and water did come gushing out when he hit it this time, but he was punished for not trusting and following his inner guidance exactly as it had been given to him.

Of course, we all have to do everything we can to make things work out in a positive way, but Moses was being shown that as our trust develops, we have to reach into a whole new level of faith, where there’s less unnecessary action and more bitachon—trust. This is a very demanding part of the journey toward enlightenment that can stretch our patience to the limit, and make us question our ability to believe that everything will work out in the right way. But it will, as long as we hold on to our trust.

This is not about an intellectual kind of trust—this has to be realized on a very intuitive, soul level.

This week we’ll look at what our sages Rav Kook, Rav Ashlag, and the Rebbe M.M. Schneerson have taught about these two levels of trust. We’ll follow this discussion with a short silent meditation on the Shema.

Date: Saturday, June 28th
Time: 6.45 pm. (Before Mincha)
Location:  HIR