אם ירצה ה׳
“Na'aseh v'Nishmah” (We will do, and we will hear) encapsulates a profound commitment to understanding G'd beyond mere faith.
The Importance of Knowledge
To know G'd is the first of the commandments. Knowledge requires learning, which is a commitment of the mind. While emotional commitment is essential, it is not sufficient on its own.
- The Heart Cannot Lead: The mind must always take the lead.
- The Journey: We begin with “Na'aseh” (action) and conclude with “v'Nishmah” (understanding). This reflects a progression from heart to mind.
This is the obligation that the Children of Israel zealously and boldly accepted when they stood at Mt. Sinai.
Central Teaching
When one's mind correctly understands the commandments, one shines the inner light of the sefirah Da'at. When one's heart properly loves and embraces the universal Torah, one shines the inner light of Tiferet. When one performs the commandments with clear thought and a devoted heart, one shines the inner light of Yesod.
Da'at, Tiferet, and Yesod form the central column of the Sefirotic Tree of Life.
The Dalet of Da'at, the Tav of Tiferet, and the Yod of Yesod spell out the Hebrew word Dati, meaning “religious.”
This subtle understanding reveals that only one who reflects the inner lights of Da'at, Tiferet, and Yesod can properly be called religious (Dati).
The Hebrew word for light is Ohr (Alef, Vav, Resh). The numerical value of Ohr is 207.
When one shines the inner light of Torah and expresses it as an external light, we have two lights: the inner and the outer.
2 x 207(Ohr) = 414
The word Dati is spelled Dalet, Tav, Yod, with a numerical value of 414 (double light). This alone defines the true “Dati” (religious).