We are now in Pesukei Bitachon starting with a zayin . Tehilim 4,6: זִבְח֥וּ זִבְחֵי־צֶ֑דֶק וּ֝בִטְח֗וּ אֶל־יְהֹוָֽה׃ Slaughter offerings of righteousness, rely on Hashem . What does slaughtering offerings have to do with relying on Hashem? The Alshech says this refers to people who believe in learning Torah, but say, I can't learn Torah right now because I don't have the money. First I'll work, and when I have enough money, then I'll be able to set a time for learning… at whatever level of learning that is. To this, the Tehilim tells us, First make the sacrifice (that’s what the slaughter refers to) and then rely on Hashem and He'll come through. In the words of the Alshech, “ Start learning Torah under duress and trust Me, and I'll take care of you.” First do yours and then I will follow. This is a fundamental rule for everything- not only learning Torah. The Chida learns the pasuk as referring to Sedaka ( sedek and sedaka have the same root) which counts like a korban . And when you give Sedaka, you have to give first, then believe that Hashem will fill in. Towards the end of Shaar Bitachon , the Hovot Halevavot dedicates a full chapter to people that he calls Baalei Mishkonot/ people that want take a collateral from Hashem- like when you give person money on credit, but you don't really trust him, so you take a collateral. So too, this person wants to take a collateral from Hashem. He says, “ First give me and then I'll give You. ” The Hovot Halevavot goes through a few reasons why this doesn't make sense. One reason that you ask someone for a collateral is because you're afraid he won't be able to pay you back. He may lose his money. The second reason is, maybe he'll renege or change his mind He may leave the country, disappear or die. When it comes to Hashem, however, none of these concerns exist. Hashem will never run out of money. He'll never renege, He will never disappear. Like the Navi Hagai says, “ Mine is the silver and mine is the gold , so there's nothing to worry about. You can , so to say, lend God. I can take the risk and Hashem will come through for me. It's interesting that this happens quite often to people collecting money for organizations. They often have to give out the money before they get the money. One such organization is Lev Chana , which I am currently trying to raise money for. I gave out clothing cards to over 250 families before I got all the money. Why does it work that way? Because you start collecting after Purim, when people need to start shopping. You have to put your neck out and hope it happens. My father-in-law Rabbi Nosson Scherman draws a nice analogy from a relative of his; before she went on a diet, she would buy the dress that she wanted to fit into. That way she knew that she had to make it. Similarly, sometimes when a person commits to something, he just has to do it. You force yourself into the situation, because otherwise, you might not do it. I therefore remind everyone out there once again that if you still have any money to give out, Lev Chana is ready and able to receive your donation. You can send an email with your pledge, or a QuickPay to rabbisutton@gmail.com Or mail it to: 1059 East 10th St, Brooklyn NY 11230 The pasuk says, Betach B’Hashem V’Aseh Tov”/Rely on Hashem and do good. Why does it say rely on Hashem first and then do good? The Rambam says it’s because you can't say, “ I'll do good when I have everything set up… then I'll give.” No, you have to first rely on Hashem, and that will help you in doing the Mitzvot. Then you go ahead and do it. There are limitless examples of people who take that step. They don't have the funds; they don't have the money. When Rabbi Moshe Malka a’h from Bnei Brak first opened his yeshiva, he didn't know anything about money. He didn't have enough money to start. He had to buy mattresses and whatever it may be, and he overheard someone say, “check dachui, ” Hebrew for a post-dated check . He asked what that was and the person expl