The Gate of Trust
The Gate of Trust, the fourth Gate of Chovot Halevavot (Duties of the Heart) - was written in Arabic by 11th-century Spanish scholar Rabbeinu Bachaya ibn Pekuda. As a classic work for developing faith and trust in G-d, Jewish leaders and teachers promoted and encouraged it as a subject of learning throughout the ages. It has been a generational pursuit to make it available in all languages and understood by the yearning soul. With the Fellig Edition – Gate of Trust, we present a fresh translation with vibrant Chassidic commentary.
About the Author:
Rabbeinu Bachya
The author of Chovot Halevavot did not explicitly attach his name to his work, but from the testimony of numerous works and bibliographers, it is the 11th century Spanish scholar, Rabbeinu Bachya ben Yosef ibn Pkuda*.
The author ends the work with a poem, that unlike the rest of the work, is written in Hebrew, in which the author outlines the chapters of the work. With close attention one notices that the first letter of each stanza spells out the name Bachya Bar Yosef. Some suggest that this is the author hinting to his name, as was the practice of some poets.
The author lived in Spain and was a Dayan, a Rabbininc Judge, in his city. Traditionally, it is believed that he lived in the city of Saragosa.
*His complete name is important as not to confuse him with the 13th century Rabbeinu Bechayei ben Asher ibn Chalva, author to the commentary on the Torah, Rabbeinu Bechayei al Hatorah, and the ethical midrashic work Kad Hakemach.
While the ‘Duties of the limbs’ are specific dictums, obvious to all, with many books explaining them, the ‘Duties of the heart’, on the other hand, are intellectual in nature, not easy for the masses to comprehend, and nothing has been written about them.
One would think that there are no commandments which are duties of the heart, and these ideas are moral and intellectual pursuits, but my search has demonstrated that not only are they commandments, but they are foundations upon which all faith and all fulfillment of the duties of the limbs are based upon.
I therefore have accepted upon myself (despite my worthiness) this sacred task of authoring a compilation that will discuss and explain all these commandments that are ‘Duties of the heart.’
— Based on the lengthy introduction of the author to Chovot Halevavot
the foundation of the book
Duties of the Heart
While many authors have written works on theology to deal with the challenges of their time. The author of the Chovot Halevavot is writing to fill a gap for the practicing Jew, namely, the lack of systematic presentation of the ‘Duties of the heart.’
The author identified numerous “topics” which he saw as crucial for the faithful Jew, amongst them is the need for Bitachon, that one “trusts in Him” (author’s introduction to Chovot Halevavot). In fact, the author writes concerning Bitachon: “that which is most necessary for one who wishes to be a servant of G-d, and that is to rely on Him in all his matters.” [The author continues: “by doing so there will be great benefits both in Torah matters and in worldly matters.”] (Author's introduction to Sha’ar Habitachon, Gate of Trust).
It is in his fourth “gate” (after discussing the unity of G-d, reflection on G-d’s good to His creation and Divine service) the author turns to the subject of Bitachon, the “Gate of Trust.” Culled from biblical verses and Talmudic idioms, the author explores and elucidates these concepts so extensively and systematically, with a presentation rich with metaphor and spiritual feeling, and yet addresses the layman and scholar alike.
In the original, Chovot Halevavot was written in Arabic, and was titled Al Hidayah ila Faraid al-Qulub, Guide to the Duties of the Heart, and has then been translated by Yehudah ibn Tibbon (12 century), who also simplified the title, with the work eventually becoming famous as “the Duties of the Heart.”
The Gate of Trust has subsequently been embraced by all Jews as a supreme spiritual and ethical guide, and studied across the globe for millennia, uplifting the minds and hearts of those who study this work.
Why learn the gate of trust?
Endorsed by our Sages for centuries
Scholars, kabbalists, and spiritual leaders throughout history have turned to Chovot Halevavot for its daily lessons, inspiration, and powerful blessings.
"The words of the Chovot Halevavot are eternally applicable and are a source of light"
The Chida, Rabbi Yosef Chaim Azulai, (18th Century, Shem Hagedolim)
"One has to cleave to the Chovot Halevavot, where he will learn the best traits for serving G-d. One has to delve in its teachings more than he would delve into the laws of ritual impurity"
Rabbi Yona Landsofer, author of the responsa Me’il Tzedaka, 18th century, in his Tzava’ah (will), ch. 33
"He had a custom to learn daily after the morning prayer from the Chovot Halevavot, and so too was the custom in his Rabbinical college, that one of the students would teach every day after prayer ethics from the Chovot Halevavot"
About the Kabbalist Rabbi Shalom Sharabi (Rashash), 18th century. (Divrei Shalom, Minhagim 24)
"Of primary importance is to study daily the works on ethics, e.g., …. The Chovot Halevavot, from the Gate of Trust until the end. In fact, one who has not studied the gate of trust and the gate of action, has never seen light in his life"
Rabbi Yisroel Isser of Ponievitch, student of Rabbi Chaim of Velozhin, early 1800’s. (Menucha UKedusha 28b).
"The learned and the unlearned alike ought to learn books of ethics translated in the modern language (modern german) e.g., Chovot Halevavot… which instills within the heart of man fear of G-d, blessed be He"
The famed Chofetz Chaim, Rabbi Yisroel Meir Hakohen, late 1800’s. (Chofetz Chaim, Pesach, Asin, 12)
"Learn daily from the Chovot Halevavot, as it will help you subdue your evil inclination and remove its power"
The angel (Magid) who revealed himself to Rabbi Yosef Karo, author of the Shulchan Aruch, 16th century, (Magid Meisharim, Behar)
"Learn every day a reading out of the Chovot Halevavot"
The famed Kabalist and author of Kabalistic literature based on Lurianic Kabbalah, Rabbi Meir Paparish, early 1700’s. (Or Tzadikim, 22:27)
"The Chovot Halevavot, which has been popular amongst the Jewish people for over 600 years…"
(In a letter, the Alter Rebbe cited the Chovot Halevavot to make an argument against an apostate)
Igrot Kodesh, Admor Hazaken, letter 74
"The Arizal made it incumbent on his students to learn from the Chovot Halevavot daily, in order to arouse their hearts to the great and awesome G-d"
Testimony of Rabbi Yitzchak, publisher’s introduction to Chovot Halevavot, Amsterdam 5476
"Reportedly, he would captivate his students with a lesson in Chovot Halevavot before each of his classes in Talmud, by instruction of his mentor, the Tchortkver Rebbe"
About Rabbi Meir Shaipro, founder of Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin and of Daf Yomi, early 1900’s, (Biography, Rabbi Meir Shapiro, p. 48)
"He would teach his students before each of his classes in Talmud from the Chovot Halevavot for fifteen minutes, in order to arouse their hearts with a fear of heaven. He would not exclude anything, not even the introduction of the translator"
The Chasam Sofer, Rabbi Moshe Sofer, late 1700’s. (Chut Hameshulash, p. 89-90)
"Make it common amongst the population to learn the first section of Code of Jewish Law (Orach Chaim), Chovot Halevavot and Sefer Hayashar."
It is said that Rabbi Pinchas had studied the Chovot Halevavot 1000 times, and only then did he achieve his great achievements*
Famed student of the Ba’al Shem Tov, Rabbi Pinchas of Koritz, 18th century. (Imrei Pinchas, Divrei Torah, par. 127). * (Approbation, Rabbi Vosner, to Chovot Halevavot with Lev Tov)
"He had a daily study, for twenty minutes before the Mincha prayer, in the works of the Chovot Halevavot"
About the Tzemach Tzedek: Lesheima Ozen, p. 60; Migdal Oz, p. 422 and FN 7
"Learn daily, with awe and fear, books on ethics, such as Reishit Chachmah, Shaloh and Chovot Halevavot"
Rabbi Elimelech M’Lizensk, No’am Elimelech, Hanhogas Ha’adam, 4
"I have written a synopsis of ethical ideas from Jewish sources on ethics with some of my own addition, and it is primarily based on and structured upon the works of the holy and pious author of Chovot Halevavot. A man who desires eternal life should study with an open heart a gate each and every day, repeating it over and over"
Rabbi Yishayah Halevi Horowitz, the Holy Shaloh, late 16th century. (End of Shaloh, introduction to Asarah Hilulim)
"The Chovot Halevavot is the first to reveal the foundations concerning G-d, revealing the source"
Rabbi Ya’akov Emdin, 18th century
(Migdal Oz, Beis Midos, Aliyas HaAhava, ch. 1)
Start learning Shaar Habitachon
Now more than ever people are thirsting for ways to strengthen their trust in G-d. In response, many world renowned teachers have launched courses in the classic Shaar HaBitachon from Chovot HaLevavot. Here on the GOT website, we’ve compiled them all and made them available to learners everywhere, free of charge.