The Duties of the Heart: Of Trust in God

This is a medieval Jewish ethical treatise — a chapter from *The Duties of the Heart* by the 11th-century Andalusian rabbi Bachye ibn Paquda, presented here in a 1909 English translation. The passage argues that trust in God (*bitachon*) is the foundational virtue of religious life, because any trust placed elsewhere — in one's own abilities, wealth, or other people — effectively displaces God's providence and enslaves a person to worldly contingencies. A central claim is that genuine trust in God produces psychological freedom: the person who relies on God alone is liberated from anxious dependence on human approval, fear of criticism, and the burdens of wealth management. Bachye develops a striking paradox around wealth — a rich person who truly trusts God treats their fortune as a temporary stewardship rather than a possession, and therefore neither boasts nor grieves when it is lost. The text is notable for its practical, almost therapeutic framing of religious trust: rather than emphasizing metaphysical arguments, it focuses on the concrete inner states — peace of mind, independence, equanimity — that trust in God produces as worldly benefits. This makes it a useful read for anyone interested in medieval Jewish spirituality, the psychology of religious virtue, or the intersection of ethics and inner life.

The Duties of the Heart: Of Trust in God

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