Seven points from Chovos Halevavos emphasizing the importance of trust, gratitude, and surrender to Hashem in all aspects of life

A chassidic story on the power of trust in G-d (Video)

The Baal Shem once heard a heavenly voice instructing him to travel to a certain village in order to learn the trait of bitachon. The Baal Shem Tov traveled to this village with his students, and upon arrival found the local inn where he would stay.

Once, while traveling with the Baal Shem Tov, his student, Reb Mendel of Bar was extremely thirsty. The Baal Shem Tov told him: “If you will truly place your trust in God, you will certainly come across water.”

The Baal Shem Tov was once in need of some money. He went to the home of a wealthy person in his town, knocked on the man’s window and immediately turned around left, before the homeowner could answer. Seeing that it was the Baal Shem Tov, the wealthy person chased after the Baal Shem Tov, asked him what he needed, and brought him all that he asked.

In the times of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov there lived a wealthy man, Avigdor was his name. He once brought a large sum of money to the Baal Shem Tov, and told him that he should give it out to the poor.

Chaim Zelig was an honest and generous man, whose livelihood was earned from an inn that he leased from the local Poritz, ladowner. He provided good service, and his inn quickly became a popular place for gatherings and lodging. The Poritz was happy with Chaim Zelig, who always paid his rent on time, and never caused any trouble.

The Talmud relates a story of Rabbi Nachum, who always reacted to misfortune with unyielding optimism—saying that everything G-d does is for the good. Even when something did not appear to be good, or even seemed bad, Rabbi Nachum would say, “This, too, is for the good” (gam zo l’tovah). To the extent that people soon began calling him “Nachum Ish (the man of) ‘Gam Zo.’”

It was a cold winter night. A young man sat in a wagon, shivering. He couldn't feel his fingers or toes. He looked forward to sitting by a fireplace, reviewing the teachings of his Rabbi. Finally, he heard the voice of the wagon driver announcing that they had arrived at an inn.

There was once a man named Reb Dovid, who had a question. Why is it that sometimes good things happen to bad people, and bad things to good people? This Reb Dovid was a holy man. He would occasionally get a very special visitor named Eliyahu Hanavie, Elijah the prophet. Reb Dovid decided to ask this important question to his special guest

Our tradition teaches us to cultivate two sets of belief: trust and faith. When faced with potential tragedy we are required to pray to G‑d and trust Him to protect us from harm.

Matzah, the cracker-like bread, round or square, made by hand or machine, that we eat on  Passover. True enough, say the Jewish mystics, but there's much more than that: matzah is the "bread of faith." 

How so?