By Avi P. When it comes to facing the challenges in life with clarity and strength, a Shiur in Emunah and Bitachon goes a long way, particularly a Shiur given by Rabbi Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin, but from time to time we need something more than a Shiur.
This past Shabbos, close to 100 couples and families (around 400 men, women, and children) gathered – some from as far afield as Atlanta, Georgia, and Montreal, Canada – for the second annual Shabbos of Emunah and Bitachon at the Westin Princeton in New Jersey.
It had all the trappings of a Shabbos getaway – a fancy hotel, savory Seudos catered by five-star caterer, a well-known Baal Tefillah, a top-shelf performer, an exciting children’s program, and so on – but it was actually much more than that.
The attendees were there not to escape their weekday reality but to transform it.
The program included long-form addresses by Rabbi Rubashkin – drawn from Torah sources, illustrated by his dramatic personal experiences, and presented in his inimitable style – clearly laid out how we can deepen and also embody our Emunah and Bitachon. This year, attendees also heard from guest speakers Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz, Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger, and Rabbi Getzel Rubashkin.
Rabbi Shloime Taussig led the heartfelt Tefillos and Zemiros at each Shabbos Seudah.
Throughout the Shabbos, there were also opportunities for more informal conversations. During the meals and the Oneg Shabbos, the men had the opportunity to shmooze with Rabbi Rubashkin and discuss the various applications of Bitachon in a more intimate, interactive way. The women had the same opportunity to interact with Mrs. Rubashkin, at their own Oneg. There was also time set aside for one-on-one chats with Rabbi and Mrs. Rubashkin for those who wanted to discuss more private, personal matters, which many attendees did.
Babysitters minded the babies and capable counselors ran fun-filled children’s programs, so the kids had a blast and the parents could benefit from everything the Shabbos had to offer.
The inspiring Shabbos was capped by a rousing Melava Malka. While the attendees enjoyed a full milchig Seuda, Rabbi Rubashkin shared stories of Tzaddikim and the lessons in Emunah and Bitachon they contained. The children had their own Melava Malka, complete with a bubble show and a drum circle, after which they joined the adults for joyous dancing which lasted into the wee hours of the morning, to the lively music of Yossi Cohen and the energetic singing of Rabbi Shloime Taussig and R’ Benny Friedman.
Over the Sunday morning breakfast spread, Rabbi Rubashkin spoke about “Bringing Bitachon Home,” taking the inspiration and clarity attendees had experienced over the special Shabbos and internalizing it, taking it with them and applying it to daily life.
Beyond the packed program, many attendees found that just spending 48 hours with so many other Yidden who had made Emunah and Bitachon a conscious goal to pursue was invigorating and inspiring. The broad cross-section of Jewish communities represented amplified this even further.
Shiurim and study sessions of Shaar HaBitachon and other Seforim on this important topic are, Baruch Hashem, widespread. This special annual Shabbaton is an opportunity to come together and focus on the next step and bring the hard-earned clarity from our minds to our hearts, from an idea that we understand to the reality that we live. We have our work cut out for us, but we’re already looking forward to next year’s Shabbaton, may it be in Yerushalayim HaBenuyah with Moshiach.
