What’s the difference between faith and trust?

By Rabbi Baruch Lederman

Rabbi Baruch Lederman

SAN DIEGO — Emunah (faith) and Bitachon (trust) are two bedrocks of Judaism. We have emunah and bitachon in Hashem, our G-d. The difference between these two related concepts can be illustrated by a joke, told to me by my colleauge Rabbi Dovid Max, Community Torah  Center of Bucks County, Richboro, PA:

Moishe is being indoctrinated by the Russian government:

Govt. Official: “If you had a yacht, what would you do with it?”

Moishe: “Give it to Mother Russia.”

Govt. Official: “And if you had a palace, what would you do with it?”

Moishe: “Give it to Mother Russia.”

Govt. Official: “And if you had a sweater, what would you do with it?”

No reply.

Government official asks the question again.

And still not reply.

Finally he shouts: “Moishe, why don’t you reply?”

Moishe: “Because I have a sweater.”

If someone askes you to lend them a thousand dollars, you have faith that they will pay you back – that is emunah. If you actually hand over the money, you put your trust in them that they will pay you back – that is bitachon.

Without emunah, without faith in Hashem, we have nothing. Bitachon takes that emunah to a whole new level. Not only do we believe   in Hashem, we put ourselves on the line to follow His Torah and Mitzvos.

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Rabbi Lederman is spiritual leader of Congregation Kehillas Torah.  He may be contacted at baruch.lederman@sdjewishworld.com