Gate of Trust

Welcome to Shaar Habitachon

Shaar Habitachon (the Gate of Trust), is the fourth section of the classic work Chovot Halevavot (Duties of the Heart), authored by Rabbi Bachya ibn Pekuda. As one of the most popular and influential books on Jewish ethics and spirituality, written in the 11th century in Spain, Shaar Habitachon teaches how to develop and strengthen one’s trust in G-d in all areas of life.

Trust in G-d, or bitachon, is an attitude of relying on G-d in every situation. By recognizing that G-d is the ultimate cause and controller of everything, and that He cares for each individual, guiding them according to a personal plan, a person will achieve inner peace, happiness and security.

What is Shaar Habitachon?

Shaar Habitachon is a timeless guide for all who seek to live a life of trust in G-d. In a systematic manner, it invites its learners to embark on a transformational journey towards genuine trust, guiding them to a state of tranquil reliance on G-d. Providing a positive outlook for developing a positive mindset and attitude towards oneself, others and G-d.

Shaar Habitachon consists of an introduction and seven chapters, each chapter systematically developing the learner’s bitachon. The introduction discusses the benefits of bitachon. The first chapter defines what bitachon is. The second chapter lists seven qualities that make G-d worthy of our trust. The third chapter discusses five factors that obligate us to trust in G-d. The fourth chapter enumerates seven areas in which we must trust in G-d. The fifth chapter highlights the life of a Jew with Bitachon. The sixth chapter negates a life without bitachon. The seventh chapter deals with the obstacles and challenges to bitachon.

Chayenu’s Revolution

The Gate of Trust - Fellig Edition is a new release of Shaar Habitachon. Published by Chayenu in partnership with Kehot Publication Society, it features an elucidated translation and commentary based on classical and Chassidic sources. It also includes summaries, charts and “bottom line” takeaways to enhance one’s study.

This edition of the Gate of Trust makes Shaar Habitachon accessible to the modern reader. It explains concepts and terms in simple language and highlights main points and lessons, helps the learner to apply its teachings to their own life.

Learning the Gate of Trust transforms one’s outlook, and helps a person cope with uncertainty, adversity and stress.

Gateoftrust.org

Gate of Trust is not only a book, but also a movement. It aims to inspire people to learn and live with bitachon, and to share it with others. It offers online classes, podcasts, videos and articles on various topics related to bitachon. It also encourages people to join or form study groups and provides resources and support for those who want to grow in their trust in G-d.

For more, visit: gateoftrust.org

Practice of the Sages, Throughout the Ages

16th century:

The Arizal made it incumbent on his students to learn from the Chovot Halevavot daily, in order to arouse their hearts to the great and awesome G-d.

—Testimony of Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (The Arizal, father of Lurianic Kabbalah), publisher’s introduction to Chovot Halevavot, Amsterdam 5476.

18th century:

He had a custom to learn daily after the morning prayer from the Chovot Halevavot, and so to was the custom in his Rabbinical college, that one of the students would teach every day after prayer ethics from the Chovot Halevavot.

—Rabbi Shalom Sharabi (Rashash), Divrei Shalom, Minhagim 24.

He would teach his students before each of his classes in Talmud from the Chovot Halevavot for fifteen minutes, in order to arouse their hearts with a fear of heaven. He would not exclude anything, not even the introduction of the translator.

—Rabbi Moshe Sofer (Chasam Sofer), Chut Hameshulash, p. 89-90.

19th century:

He had a daily study, for twenty minutes before the Mincha prayer, in the works of the Chovot Halevavot.

—The Tzemach Tzedek, Lesheima Ozen, p. 60; Migdal Oz, p. 422 and FN 7.

20th century:

Reportedly, would captivate his students with a lesson in Chovot Halevavot before each of his classes in Talmud (by instruction of his mentor, the Tchortkver Rebbe).

—Biography, Rabbi Meir Shapiro, p. 48.

Reap the Benefits of Gate of Trust

A man who desires eternal life should study with an open heart a gate each and every day, repeating it over and over.

—Rabbi Yishayah Halevi Horowitz, End of Shaloh, introduction to Asarah Hilulim.

Learn daily from the Chovot Halevavot, as it will help you subdue your evil inclination and remove its power.

—The angel (Magid) (who revealed himself to Rabbi Yosef Karo) Magid Meisharim, Behar.

An omen (Segulah) for sustenance (Parnasah) is to learn the Gate of Trust from the Chovot Halevavot.

—The Apta Rav, Berachah Shelimah 17b.

An omen (Segulah) for all good things and to have your requests fulfilled is to learn the Gate of Trust in the holy book of Chovot Halevavot.

—The Vilna Gaon, Zichron Yaakov Yosef 79b.

Of primary importance is to study daily the works on ethics, e.g., …. The Chovot Halevavot, from the Gate of Trust until the end. In fact, one who has not studied the Gate of Trust and the Gate of Action, has never seen light in his life.

—Rabbi Yisroel Isser of Ponovitch, Menucha UKedusha 28b.

I am extremely surprised at your low spirits. You should follow the directives of two medical specialists, and strengthen your trust in God, Who will without a doubt restore you to your former health.... One studies and studies (i.e., one continuously studies about Divine providence etc.) - but when it comes to practical application, where’s the trust? You should study three or four times the Shaar Habitachon (the Gate of Trust) in Chovot Halevavot. It is self-understood that I do not mean that you should study it all at one time, but over the course of a few weeks.

—Igrot Kodesh, vol. 21, letter 7887.

You must be strong in your trust that God will lead in a proper path and bring you success in your holy work. And if doubts regarding this enter your mind, this does not indicate a doubt regarding your ability, rather, this indicates a weakness in your trust. And the remedy for this is to study Shaar Habitachon (the Gate of Trust) in Chovot Halevavot, and, more generally, to be bound to the Tree of Life, i.e., the study of Chassidus, and to participate in a chassidic farbrengen with genuine chassidic joy, on a frequent basis, to be happy and to make others happy.

—Igrot Kodesh, vol. 4, letter 1042.