BS’D
We are all on a lifelong quest for satisfaction. Yet, what are we trying to satisfy? Though the root of all our cravings is spiritual, we often erroneously seek to gratify them through physical means. However, the soul is not gratified when fed material pleasure because it requires spiritual sustenance.
The Jewish soul seeks to connect with its original, G-dly source in the higher realms. Our souls plead to be attached to G-dly light. It feels nourished each time we engage in Torah study and mitzvot, whereas it feels distant and is traumatized by this material world of falsehood.
Hester panim describes a state in which Hashem disguises the patterns of history as though they are random. Even though He is controlling everything and organizing every minute detail, we are often unable to see the bigger picture, remaining convinced that all is random. The word yetzer is rooted in the word tzar, narrow, highlighting the yetzer harah’s tendency to inhibit our vision, restricting us to viewing only the ‘here and now.’
The solution to this limited vision is Torah, as it is written in Masechet Kiddushim (30b): “Barati Yetzer Hara Barati Torah tavleen (I created the evil inclination, but I created Torah as a neutralizing spice)”. As much as the yetzer hara confines, Torah broadens. Torah gives us “emuna vision”, the ability to see the bigger and brighter long-term picture, with Hashem’s hand guiding it all.
Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Amichai Meir ben Rotam, an infant who is need of tefillot. May Hashem shower his with a complete healing among all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and in need of yeshuot v’nechamot b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen.
