Strengthening Bitachon

The Yetzer Hara vs. Bitachon: A Battle of the Mind

How is it possible for someone with strong bitachon to commit an aveira?

This perplexing question underscores the astonishing power of the yetzer hara. The yetzer hara doesn’t fight fair—it chips away at our trust in Hashem, playing on our fears, desires, and weaknesses until we make decisions we later regret.

It’s no wonder Chazal liken succumbing to the yetzer hara to temporary insanity.

Take a moment to reflect on your own life. How many times have you cut davening or learning short because of the endless to-do list in your mind?

I’ve done it countless times, rationalizing that I “need” the extra time. Yet Hashem always proves me wrong—showing me that dedicating time to Him creates bracha in my day.

The Two-Minute Test: Fighting the Rush

A friend recently told me about a disturbing pattern at his minyan: people taking off their tallis and tefillin before davening officially ends. Whether it’s to grab a coffee or simply to beat the traffic, the rush to move on misses the point.

Hashem is in charge of time. If we skimp on those last two minutes, life has a way of taking them back—through delays, interruptions, or inefficiencies.

I used to be one of those people who fell into the yetzer hara’s trap, hearing the voice that said, “You’re so busy, what’s the big deal?”

To fight back, I’ve worked on removing myself from situations where I’m likely to stumble. For example, just like someone might avoid late-night snacking by keeping junk food out of the house, I’ve created safeguards in my daily routine. After davening, I stay in the same spot to learn shnayim mikra, recite Tehillim, and continue learning.

These small, intentional steps help me win the daily battle.