As we all know, the manna that fell in the desert was a brocho. Chazal tell us, however, that the fact that it fell daily was an added brocho in that it reinforced our relationship with Ha-Kadosh Baruch Hu. This idea is found in the Gemora (Yoma 76). On the other hand, in Menochos 103, the Gemora seems to say that it is better to have a year’s supply of food up front, because otherwise one would have a sense of insecurity. These two gemoras seem to contradict each other. Which would you rather have: A good relationship or security?

The Shiras Dovid explains that there is a fundamental difference between emunah and bitachon. Emunah is knowing in one’s brain that everything is up to Hashem, whereas bitachon is feeling secure that everything that Hashem does is for the good. Kol d’avid rachmana—letav avid (Brochos 60). Someone who has a secure relationship with Ha-Kadosh Baruch Hu looks forward to every encounter and interaction because each one deepens his relationship with his Creator. Such a person looks forward to davening and feels privileged to have this ability to ask for his needs. When a person has emunah but not bitachon, he knows he has to rely on Hashem but finds it difficult because he doesn’t feel that security in his heart. For this type of person, it would be a blessing to have all of his needs in advance, even though it would mean losing out on the opportunity for a daily connection with Ha-Kadosh Baruch Hu.

This same idea is conveyed by means of a famous question and answer regarding shevi’is. In Vayikra (25:20–21) the Torah says, “When you ask, ‘What shall we eat in the seventh year?’ ” and then answers, “There will be an abundance of crop in the sixth year.” The mefarshim ask how we would have survived had we not asked the question and then been told that we would receive a brocho. The answer is that we would have eaten only a little and been satiated. This would have been an even greater brocho, since it would have been less cumbersome and would not have required us to harvest a bumper crop. The simple understanding is that such a brocho is greater because it is not noticeable; this is a higher level of miracle. But some take it a step further and teach us that merely asking what we would eat makes us no longer worthy of such a fantastic miracle; Ha-Kadosh Baruch Hu has to downgrade the miracle He gives us from a hidden one to an overt one. Here we see again that a person who trusts Hashem will ultimately have a better life.

This year has a special segula in that people around us are living with bitachon and yet are comfortable. We too can raise our comfort level through our personal bitachon.