| Home |Breishith |Shmot |Vayikra |BaMidbar |Dvarim |Holidays |Tehillim |Stories |
| Va'etchanan: In Mind and Heart |
The Alenu prayer, recited at the conclusion of every prayer
service, contains the following verse:
What is the difference between 'knowing it' and 'pondering it in
the heart'?
Two Stages of Acceptance
Sometimes, people admit that there is a gap between what they know
intellectually and what they are ready for emotionally. They will
say, 'Yes, this makes sense. This is a better way, a healthier way,
a truer way. Still, it's not for me. It's too hard; I cannot do it.'
Therefore, the Torah emphasizes the importance of two steps. First,
we need to recognize the truth. This is the intellectual stage of
"know it today." This stage is critical, but it is still only on a
theoretical level. It must be followed by the second step: to
internalize that which the mind comprehends. We need to accept
emotionally the ramifications of this understanding, and be
willing to act upon it. This is the second stage, to "ponder it in
your heart."
The second stage of practical acceptance should nevertheless be
rooted in the initial step of intellectual comprehension. As the
Sages taught (Berachot 13a), 'First accept the kingdom of Heaven,
and then the yoke of [practical] mitzvot.'
Above and Below
The verse continues by stating that God is supreme in both "the
heaven above and on the earth below." What does this mean?
This does not refer to God's unity in the universe, but to our own
inner unity when we accept His reign. 'Heaven' and 'earth' are
metaphors for our two major faculties, the mind and the heart. We
need to be consistent so that how we act is not detached from what
we believe.
In summary, we should accept God's kingship on both levels:
(Gold from the Land of Israel pp. 299-300. Adapted from Olat Re'iyah vol. I, pp. 324-5)
Copyright © 2006 by Chanan Morrison
"Know it today and ponder it in your heart: God is the Supreme
Being in heaven above and on the earth below — there is no other."
(Deut. 4:39)