Removing Troubling Thoughts
Removing Troubling Thoughts

A person with pure faith in G-d, removes negative thoughts and worries from his mind, as our Sages prescribed: “A worry in the heart of a person – he should remove it from his mind”.  Instead  of worrying, he should fulfill the verse that is a major Torah principle “Walk simply (tamim) with Havayah, your G-d.”

This verse is related to temimut, simple sincerity, which is a form of passive bitachon, trust in G-d. Emunah, faith in and relying on G-d, is the pinnacle of our soul-powers. It is the closest to passive  bitachon, trust in G-d.

This explains the verse “Walk simply (tamim) with Havayah, your G-d.” Deep-rooted faith in the source of the soul is expressed by the belief that everything that G-d does is the very best that can be. Walking simply with G-d means to completely rely on Him, beyond believing that all that G-d will do will certainly be for the very best.

Rather, one believes that certainly G-d will do the very best as I perceive it. This is apparently closer to the root of faith (that no matter what happens, it is all for the very best) than trust in one’s G-d-given ability to take action to achieve his goal.

That is why the verse “He who walks with sincerity walks with confidence” is specifically in this order. First, “He who walks with sincerity”, because sincerity receives from emunah, faith. From that sincere trust in G-d, one can proceed to active trust – that certainly all will be good as I perceive it, but G-d wants me to do my part and so I make my effort to achieve the desired good, when I am capable of doing so.

Rashi’s Sincerity

It is also possible to explain the verse “Walk simply (tamim) with Havayah, your G-d” as an expression of actual emunah, faith. Emunah is not only connected to sincerity, but emunah itself is sincere faith, emunah temimah. (This is a common expression in Hassidism, similar to “simple faith”, emunah pshutah).

“Walk simply (tamim) with Havayah, your G-d” is a general mitzvah that includes the entire Torah. One of Rashi’s most important explanations is his commentary on the verse, as follows:

A) Walk with G-d in simplicity,

B) Wait for Him

C) Do not delve into the future (Above, we noted that emunah pertains to what has already taken place, as Rabbi Akiva said, “All that G-d does is for the best.” Here we see that emunah means not thinking of the future at all. This is the perfection of faith.)

D) But rather accept all of life's events with simplicity,

E) And then you will be with Him and in His portion.

This is perhaps the most beautiful and important pearl in Rashi’s entire commentary on the Torah. Simplicity is when a person clears his mind – what will be in the future doesn’t matter to him. Why doesn’t it matter to him? Because he relies on G-d, knowing that whatever He does will certainly be good.