The Ten Stages of Bitachon: Part 2

The Chovot HaLevavot describes at the end of the Sha’ar HaBitachon the eighth level of trust in Hashem, in which a person understands that he needs Hashem for everything he does, even the simplest tasks, and because of that he is constantly looking to Hashem for help all day long. This will enable him to get to the next level. He will begin to appreciate Hashem's compassion on him, and see that everything Hashem does is with intent to bestow kindness upon him. Then he will reach the very high level of wanting whatever Hashem wants for him. He will not just accept that whatever Hashem does to him is good. He will actually feel that way in his heart as well. He will submit himself entirely to Hashem and will not even desire to be in any other situation than his current one. The Chovot HaLevavot quoted a master of bitachon saying, “I never woke up being in a certain situation and desired to be anywhere else.” This is referring to his physical state. In matters of spirituality, we are encouraged, and we are supposed to want more. Then, after a person's awareness of Hashem grows even stronger, he is ready for the tenth and highest level of bitachon . What the Chovot HaLevavot is about to tell us is the goal of every bote’ach b’Hashem. We may think that the ultimate goal of bitachon is to be able to get whatever we want by trusting in Hashem for it. That, however, is not the goal. A person who is already on the ninth level does not desire more than he has, unless it will benefit him spiritually. The highest level is when a person truly understands the purpose for which he was created. He begins to recognize the importance of the Next World that endures forever. This causes him to despise anything in this world that is not important for that goal. Things that may make other people happy or sad do not affect him at all. He doesn't get upset if he doesn't get a certain physical pleasure or a luxury that others may be yearning for. He understands how fleeting and temporary things of this world really are. He commits himself in his mind, in his neshama, and in his body completely to Hashem. He loves thinking about Hashem and feels empty when he's not contemplating the greatness of Hashem. When he's in large gatherings, he has no desire to impress people. All he wants is to please Hashem. The joy that he gets in his love of Hashem far surpasses the joy that people get from partaking in the pleasures that this world has to offer. Even the joy that people will have in the World to Come is secondary to him, because he loves Hashem so much that nothing else could possibly compare to it. This is the highest level that a person with complete bitachon could possibly reach. This is the level that the Nevi'im and the greatest of all time have reached, those who are Hashem's precious treasure. Although this level is attained by few, it's good just to know that this is the ultimate level. The Ramban counts bitachon as one of the 613 mitzvot. It's a middah that leads to more spirituality and closeness to Hashem. Bitachon is not just a tool to get what we want out of Hashem, it's a very high level of avodat Hashem that culminates with being lovesick over Hashem and thinking about Him all the time and only wanting to please Him. May Hashem help us grow to greater and greater levels in our quest to rise through these levels of bitachon .