Sources
Hoping based on Hashem’s chessed means hoping for yeshua (salvation) because of His endless kindness and mercy, not because of any merit. When we hold onto this kind of hope, it opens the door for Hashem’s kindness to come through and help us in ways we can’t even imagine.
The Sefer HaIkkarim teaches that hope rooted in Hashem’s kindness is the highest and most praiseworthy kind of hope. However, a person may not feel fully confident that Hashem will give them everything their heart desires. Why? Because they believe they are unworthy of receiving such kindness as a free gift. They assume Hashem might not want to fulfill their request—and that doubt weakens their hope.
But when hope is incomplete, says the Sefer HaIkkarim, it is not considered real hope. True hope must be whole and unwavering. If a person truly places their full trust in Hashem’s kindness, without hesitation, then Hashem will never withhold His chessed. He wants to give to those who hope in Him.
As the Torah says, “Hashem desires those who fear Him, who hope for His kindness.”
So when kindness is withheld, it is not because Hashem doesn’t want to give—it is because the person’s hope was not strong or complete enough.
Additional Sources
Yermiyahu’s Hope in Hashem’s Chessed
See Source in HebrewBased on the Sefer HaIkkarim’s Explanation of Yermiyahu in Eicha and found in מאמר ד מ״ח
The Sefer HaIkkarim explains that Yermiyahu, the prophet, described the intense suffering of the Jewish people during exile. He said, “My soul has forgotten peace and good things,” meaning the hardships were so overwhelming and constant that he had forgotten what peace and blessing felt like. In such despair, Yermiyahu thought his hope was lost.
Yet, despite this deep pain, Jeremiah says, “I will remember Hashem’s kindness; surely His mercies will not end.” חסדי ה׳ כי לא תמנו וגו׳ . He reminds himself that Hashem’s kindness never fails and His mercy is endless. Because of this, Hashem never truly abandons His people; rather, He continually contemplates and shows compassion according to His great kindness.
For this reason, Jeremiah refuses to despair of being delivered from suffering. His hope is firmly rooted in the eternal kindness of Hashem, which sustains and renews even in the darkest times.
Therefore, one should never despair of salvation, for hope is sustained by Hashem’s endless chesed.
Even the Unworthy Can Hope – Sefer HaIkkarim
See Source in HebrewIncomplete Hope
See Source in HebrewThe Sefer HaIkkarim teaches that hope based on Hashem’s kindness (chesed) is the highest and most praiseworthy kind of hope. However, a person may not feel fully confident that Hashem will give them everything their heart desires. Why? Because they believe they are unworthy of receiving such kindness as a free gift. They assume Hashem might not want to fulfill their request—and that doubt weakens their hope.
But when hope is incomplete, says the Sefer HaIkkarim, it is not considered real hope. True hope must be whole and unwavering. If a person truly places their full trust in Hashem’s kindness, without hesitation, then Hashem will never withhold His chesed. He wants to give to those who hope in Him.
As the Torah says, “Hashem desires those who fear Him, who hope for His kindness.”
So when kindness is withheld, it is not because Hashem doesn’t want to give—it is because the person’s hope was not strong or complete enough.
ותקות החסד היא היותר משובחת שבכלן, אלא שאין המקוה בטוח כל כך שינתן לו כלבבו כל אשר תשאל נפשו, כי להיותו משער בעצמו שאינו במדרגה שיעשה עמו חסד חנם, חושב שלא ירצה האדון לתת את שאלתו, ובעבור זה אינו מקוה כראוי, שאם היה מקוה כראוי לא היתה החסד נמנעת מצד השם יתברך, כי תמיד הוא רוצה להשפיע למקוה כראוי, אמר הכתוב רוצה ה׳ את יראיו את המיחלים לחסדו. ולזה הוא מבואר כי המנע הגעת החסד הוא כאשר אין התקוה כראוי.