Internalizing Our Emunah - Tefillah Today Episode 15

The discussion in Tefillin Today focuses on the stanzas of Yikvau, which emphasize that God has no bodily form and is beyond our comprehension. The challenge is to internalize this belief in our daily lives. Examples are given of Adam and the Tower of Babel to illustrate how we often forget our role as God's people. The stanzas serve as a reminder of God's transcendence and purpose, urging us to reconnect with our purpose. The deeper messages of the stanzas are broken down into three points: God's formlessness, His role as the source of all creation, and His active demonstration of greatness and kingship in the world. It is acknowledged that internalizing God's kingship requires effort and daily practice, which can be achieved through prayer. The reflections in this episode aim to inspire a renewed sense of purpose and connection in prayer. Welcome back to Tefillin Today. Let's begin by focusing on the stanzas of Yikvau that are central to today's discussion. Here they are along with their translations. In Yikvau there is no body and there is no body and there is no body as such. Hashem has no bodily form nor is He physical. His holiness is beyond compare. Hashem proceeds everything that was created. He is the first and there is no beginning to His being. He is the master of the world to all that is formed. Hashem demonstrates His greatness and His kingship. These lines challenge us to grasp Hashem's infinite nature. Not by describing what He is but by clarifying what He is not. This approach helps us connect to Hashem in a way that is both humbling and empowering. But here is the reality. Most of us believe in Hashem. That is not the challenge. The challenge is living every day as if we truly believe it. Today we are going to explore this gap between belief and internalization using these stanzas as our guide. It is not enough to say I believe in Hashem. The question is does that belief guide my actions, your actions? Think about Adon HaRishon. He lived in Gan Eden surrounded by Hashem's presence. Yet after he sinned he tried to hide. He didn't stop believing in Hashem. He just didn't internalize what it means that Hashem is everywhere. Or take Do HaFlecha. The generation of the Tower of Babel. They knew Hashem's tower. They were living in the aftermath of the flood. But instead of submitting to Hashem's kingship they decided to build the tower to reach the heavens and create their own reality. We are not so different. How often do we get caught up in the culture around us? Blending in and forgetting our role as Hashem's people. These stanzas in Yikvah serve as a daily reminder of Hashem's transcendence. Hashem's eternity. Hashem's malchus. Calling us to reconnect with our purpose. So now let's break down these stanzas and uncover their deeper messages. In Rodim HaSakov Ve'enokov, Or in the Aroche Vav Kedusha So. Three points. Or two points. Hashem has no physical form. His holiness is beyond compare. Second point. This challenges us because we live in a physical world. And often try to relate Hashem in human terms. But Hashem's essence is completely beyond our comprehension. The more we recognize this, the more we can approach Him with humility and awe. Kedmon HaKol Tavar Hashem Yisra. V'shonor Ein Rishis V'Reish Yisso. Hashem existed before everything. He is a source of all creation. This reminds us that our lives are not random. We are part of Hashem's eternal plan. And every action we take has meaning and purpose. Yino Adon Olam V'chol Notzar. Yoreh G'dul Haso Unah Hoso. Hashem actively demonstrates His greatness and kingship in the world. The word Yoreh demonstrates is very significant. It teaches us to actively look for Hashem's presence in the world around us. In both grand and subtle ways. Let's be real. Even with the clearest demonstrations of Hashem's greatness, it's still hard to internalize it. History shows us this again and again. Bnei Yisrael spent 40 years in the Midbar. Completely dependent on Hashem. They had none of the food. Their clothing never wore out. And they were guided by the Anani HaKavod. It was like a second Gan Eden. But when they entered Bnei Yisrael, the dynamics shifted. They had to farm the land, build homes, and live natural life. All while maintaining their connection to Hashem. Like us. The challenge of balancing their physical reality with spiritual awareness led to struggles, decline, and eventually exile. What does this mean for us? That even in the best conditions, internalizing Hashem's kingship requires effort. It's not automatic. It's a daily practice. And that's where Tefillah comes in. These stanzas of Yigtal aren't just poetic declarations. They're a call to action. And here's how we can live by them. First, we have to recognize that Hashem is beyond what we can understand. But that doesn't make Him distant. It makes Him even closer. Because Hashem is not limited like we are. Two, if Hashem's plan is eternal, and every moment of our lives has purpose, whether it's a small misstep or a big decision, everything we do can align with Hashem's will. Hashem's greatness is all around us. But we have to look for it. It might be in the beauty of nature, an act of kindness, or even a challenge that forces us to grow. Take time every day to notice these moments. Thank you for joining me on Tefillah today as we continue to explore Yigtal. I hope these reflections inspire you to approach Tefillah with a renewed sense of purpose and connection.