Moshe was the single greatest human being who ever lived

The question on this Gemarah is that we know the single greatest human being who ever lived was Moshe Rabbenu. The Rambam calls him the “father” in Torah and wisdom. He was the greatest of all prophets. In fact, one of our 13 Principles of Faith is that Moshe was the greatest of all Nivi’im, of those who came before and of those who came after.

If, we know that Moshe was greater than even the Avos, how can we understand this Gemara? It is clearly telling us that Avrohom, Yitzchak and Yaakov were superior to Moshe.

The difference between Emunah and Bitachon

The answer to this question seems to lie in the basic distinction between Emunah and Bitachon. The Rambam defines Emunah as the knowledge that HASHEM created and continues to run all of creation. Simply put, nothing can exist and no activity can occur without HASHEM.

Bitachon, however, is a quite different. The Chovos Halevovos defines Bitachon as trusting in HASHEM. It is a sense of relying on HASHEM to watch over and protect us, as if to say, “I take my heavy burden and place it on HASHEM.” While I am responsible to be proactive, I am not in charge of the outcome, and I am not the determinant of the results. I rely on HASHEM to care for me.

Emunah is a state of understanding; Bitachon is a state of trust. Emunah means knowing that HASHEM is involved in every activity on the planet; Bitachon means trusting in HASHEM in this situation.

A person can have Emunah and not Bitachon

A person can have Emunah and not Bitachon. Pharaoh was a classic example. When threatened with Jewish overpopulation in the land, his solution was to throw the baby boys into the Nile. The Medrash explains that this wasn’t a flippant reaction -- it was highly calculated. HASHEM promised Noach that He wouldn’t bring another flood. HASHEM pays back “measure for measure”. Therefore, Pharaoh determined that HASHEM would want to pay back the Egyptians for killing the babies by bringing a flood. Since that couldn’t be, because of HASHEM’s promise to Noach, he felt protected from HASHEM’s wrath.

Clearly, Pharaoh understood the power of HASHEM. He realized that HASHEM watches over the world. He also understood that HASHEM acts with justice. Pharaoh had no problem with Emunah, but he sure didn’t trust in HASHEM – he rebelled. He had Emunah, but no Bitachon.

Growing in Emunah

Both Emunah and Bitachon are based on relating to the world in a deeper manner. Emunah is the understanding that HASHEM is involved in more than just the big picture issues - life and death, war, famine; disease… HASHEM is involved in the minutia of my daily life. That HASHEM is there with me, 24/7 365, all day, every day, from morning to night.

Imagine that I am walking alone on a cold February night, and a car pulls up alongside me. Three thugs jump out, and one holds a gun to my head: My level of Emunah will determine how clearly I see that my fate is not in the hands of some drug-crazed kid, but rather on the decree HASHEM made for me that previous Rosh Hashanah. Amazingly, I can have this understanding and yet lack a level of trust in HASHEM.

Bitachon requires understanding the goodness of HASHEM

To truly rely on HASHEM, there are two additional criteria I must feel: 1. That HASHEM loves me more than I love myself. 2. That HASHEM knows better than I was is for my good. After recognizing that HASHEM is involved in every action that occurs on this planet, I still must focus on the reality that I am a mortal, with limited sight and understanding. That which may appear to be in my best interest may not really be so. That which I deeply desire may actually be to my detriment, whether in this World or the World to Come.

Bitachon is predicated upon knowing that HASHEM has my best interests in mind and that He knows better than I what is for my good. When a person realizes this, and then takes their heavy load and transfers it to HASHEM -- That is Bitachon.

The answer: Moshe was greater in Emunah – the Avos were greater in Bitachon

The answer to the question seems to be that Moshe Rabbenu was on a higher level of Emunah than any other human being, then or since. He saw HASHEM with an absolute clarity. As we see a piece of wood in front of us as undeniably real, he saw HASHEM -- right there. But absolute trust in HASHEM doesn’t necessarily follow. Bitachon is something that is learnt, something that is practiced -- much like a character trait that one develops over many years, one learns, often through life experiences, to be totally, utterly trusting in the kindness of HASHEM. Apparently, the Avos reached a higher level in this regard. They had an unwavering sense of the constant goodness and lovingkindness of HASHEM; hence, they were able to be more trusting of HASHEM – even when on the surface, there were many questions to be asked. Moshe was greater in Emunah, while they were greater in Bitachon.

Stop playing G-d

This distinction has great relevance. Often our problems with faith come from this one issue: we have Emunah, but not Bitachon. We know HASHEM runs the world, but we play G-d. We assume we have the big picture all worked out. I know exactly what I need, exactly what is good for me, and for some reason HASHEM just won’t go along with the program. I know what type of job I need. I know what type of woman I need to marry. I know what schools my kids should get into. And for some reason HASHEM just won’t follow along with my wisdom.

The quantum leap forward in Bitachon comes when I sit down and ask myself: how much do I really know? How often have I assumed that one course of action would be for the best, and I was proven wrong - dead wrong? How much do I truly understand about my inner needs and my nature, what I really need to be happy? How well do I know what is ultimately best for the interests of my wife and my children, their needs, their future?

When a person comes to the core understanding that HASHEM is more concerned for my good than I am, and that HASHEM knows my needs far better than I, he comes to a different degree of trust, a different level of relying on HASHEM. He comes to true Bitachon.

For more on this topic please listen to Shmuz #18 –The Difference between Emunah and Bitachon.