Rav Chaim Soloveichik once saw his son, Yitzchak Zev, the future Brisker Rav, when he was a young boy, studying Chovos HaLevavos with intense effort. R’ Chaim said to him, with satisfaction: “Learn, learn. Chovos HaLevavos is the Shulchan Aruch of Yiddishkeit!”
Written almost a thousand years ago, Chovos HaLevavos is a revered classic, learned — and loved — by every generation since that time. A Shulchan Aruch, indeed: Just as the Shulchan Aruch guides our actions, showing us how to fulfill the mitzvos properly, Chovos HaLevavos guides our thoughts and feelings, gently but firmly teaching us how to create a strong, unbreakable connection to our loving Father.
Shaar HaBitachon, the fourth section of Chovos HaLevavos, is often studied as a self-contained work. It discusses many of the most fundamental Torah hashkafos. Its ancient words speak to our contemporary lives with amazing relevance, and it is studied especially by people needing encouragement in facing painful challenges.
How do I strengthen my bitachon, especially in these trying times? How do I find the right balance between hishtadlus — effort — and bitachon — faith? How can I experience the menuchas hanefesh, peace of mind, of someone who truly trusts Hashem? As Jews committed to Torah, mitzvos, and seeking a close connection to Hashem, the answers to these questions are vitally important to us.
This classic Torah masterpiece has now been translated and elucidated in a way that makes it accessible to all of us, scholar and layman alike. Created by the talmidei chachamim who brought us the bestselling classics Mesillas Yesharim and Shaarei Teshuvah, The Jaffa Family Edition Shaar HaBitachon of Chovos HaLevavos includes a phrase-by-phrase translation, in the format of the Schottenstein Talmud and the ArtScroll Rashi. Extensive explanatory notes, based on a broad range of commentaries and mussar classics, give us a deeper understanding, and the Insights section bring the words of Shaar HaBitachon into our lives, showing us how we can live in tranquility when we fully trust in Hashem’s goodness — and how to achieve that trust. This is a sefer that shows us the richness and depth of Shaar HaBitachon and how it relates to our everyday lives.
ArtScroll’s newly released Jaffa Family Edition Shaar Habitachon of Chovas HaLevavos will help us face the new year with serenity and confidence in Hashem’s compassion and goodness.
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