Highlighting: “A Daily Dose of Pesukim of Bitachon,” by Rabbi David Sutton. Mesorah Publications. 2024. 424 pages. ISBN-10: 1422640159.
(Courtesy of Artscroll) A life lived with tranquility and confidence. Success in business. Protection in times of danger. And, greatest of all, a way to strengthen our connection to Hashem. Yes, the blessings of bitachon are immeasurable. But how do we truly incorporate such trust in Hashem into our hearts?
The Talmud Yerushalmi, the Zohar, the Maharal and many other sources offer us a time-tested and effective means for embedding bitachon firmly within us. The Maharal even states that this technique is a segula for success in business and protection in times of war.
What is this ultra-powerful technique? Pesukim of bitachon. That’s right … Pesukim, brief verses from Tanach.
Reciting specific verses—these sources tell us—is an extremely powerful way of incorporating bitachon—and all its blessings—into every aspect of our lives. Indeed, when we internalize these pesukim, we transform our very essence.
Rav Yosef Zundel of Salant—the teacher of Rav Yisrael Salanter—listed specific pesukim that strengthen our trust in God’s providence, faith and salvation. In this groundbreaking work, Rabbi David Sutton examines each of those pesukim and gives us a greater understanding of the many lessons we can learn from them. Through stories and insights, he shows us how to use the pesukim to strengthen our bitachon. Each pasuk is followed by a brief “recap” that helps us review the power of the pasuk, and a section with practical takeaways.
Designed to be used as a daily reader—with one pasuk every day—in “A Daily Dose of Pesukim of Bitachon,” we will discover the amazing power of just a few words to transform our lives and lead us to the simcha—the joy, that comes from living a life defined by bitachon.
We spoke to Rabbi Sutton about his transformative new book.
“Pesukim of Bitachon”—what an intriguing title. Please tell our readers what the book is about and what it can accomplish for its readers.
Rabbi Dovid Sutton: “Pesukim of Bitachon” is a compilation of pesukim from Tanach—primarily Tehillim—which discusses our reliance on Hashem, the trust we have in His goodness and that he cares for us. When these pesukim are recited and understood, they can bring great salvation and protection.
The Maharal talks about a segula of saying pesukim of bitachon, and that is especially timely in view of today’s difficult situation. Can you please share his words with readers?
Rabbi Dovid Sutton: The Maharal’s words are quoted in “Mishpat Tzedek (214),” and in the early work “Taharas Hakodesh” by Rav Binyomin Wolf (page 30). The Maharal recommends that a person recite pesukim that speak about bitachon. Reciting these pesukim every day, he explains, strengthens a person’s trust in Hashem—which is one of the most fundamental precepts of Judaism. After reciting these pesukim, he adds, a person should pray to Hashem for help in acquiring the great quality of bitachon.
Besides the spiritual benefits of saying these bitachon-building verses, the Maharal points out tremendous benefits in this world—as described by earlier sages and transmitted to him through the generations. These benefits include annulling harsh decrees. In fact, the Maharal writes, it has been tested and proven that reciting these pesukim protects soldiers going to war, and even helps businessmen when they travel for business or before they begin their workday. Certainly, these are benefits that we can all hope and pray for today.
You chose to focus on pesukim of bitachon chosen by Rav Yosef Zundel of Salant. Please tell us a little about him.
Rabbi Dovid Sutton: Rav Yosef Zundel of Salant was a talmid of Rav Chaim of Volozhin and the rabbi of Rav Yisrael Salanter. A great tzaddik, he was particularly known for his immense bitachon.
In the book, you explain and illustrate these pesukim with Torah insights and stories. How did you find such appropriate and powerful material, which enhances our understanding of bitachon and brings the pesukim to life?
Rabbi Dovid Sutton: I gave a daily shiur in these pesukim, using the basic commentaries. And of course, the rest was up to Hashem.
