בס”ד
Emunah is the central mitzvah [Torah requirement] upon which all other (613 for Jews and 7 for non-Jews) mitzvot are built. Emunah is the most fundamental mitzvah. As stated Makkot 24a:
Isaiah then established the 613 mitzvot upon two, as it is stated: “So says the L-rd: Observe justice and perform righteous-ness” (Isaiah 56:1). Amos came and established the 613 mitzvot upon one, as it is stated: “So says the L-rd to the house of Israel: Seek Me and live” (Amos 5:4). … Habakkuk came and established the 613 mitzvot upon one, as it is stated: “But the righteous person shall live by his faith אֱמוּנָתוֹ / Emunah-to” (Habakkuk 2:4).
There is no (religious) existence without Emunah. Many individuals will follow the basic laws of the 7 Noahide Laws of not stealing, not committing adultery, not murdering, and so on, but not because their souls want to connect with G-d. You need emunah to connect to G-d, you need Emunah to exist spiritually just as you need breath to live physically.
Rav Nachman of Breslov teaches that without emuna, we are like a seed planted in the ground unfit for agriculture. Under such conditions, the seed will simply rot. A person who lacks emuna, Rav Nachman says, is in a state of rotting – sad, weighed down, fearful. A believer, on the other hand, is full of vitality, is eager to try new things, and has no unnecessary impediments. He believes in G-d, and believes in himself, and he therefore really grows and blossoms.[1]
What is the Mitzvah of Emunah?
Mishneh Torah, Foundations of the Torah 1:1:
The foundation of foundations and firmest pillar of all wisdom is, To know that there is a First Being, that He caused all beings to be, and that all beings from heaven and earth, and from between them, could not be save for the truth of His Own Being.
Mishneh Torah, Foundations of the Torah 1:4:
This is as the prophet says: “But the L-rd G-d is the true G-d” (Jer. 10.10); He alone is the Truth, and no other being possesses a truth similar to His Truth, even as the Torah says: “There is none other like unto Him” (Deut. 4.39), meaning, there is no other true being, besides Him, like unto Him.
Are Noahides commanded to have Emunah?
If we look at it from the two quotes above, we see that this ties in with the Fundamentals of the Faith as presented in The Divine Code at point 1 and point 12.
- 1. To know that there is a G-d, and that He created all that exists.
- 12. To have faith and trust in G-d, which includes to pray only to Him and to ask Him to provide the things that one needs.[2]
Because G-d is the only G-d who created Heaven and Earth and has complete control over everything, Emunah signifies that with G-d, anything is possible. Nothing is too difficult for Him to do. We also know that while He is in control, black clouds in our lives are simply dark clouds from our perspective, because these occurrences can cloud our perception of G-d.
But when we have Emunah, these clouds dissipate, and we get perspective, a vision, and a sense of purpose in life. Because, even when life throws us stumbling hurdles, we keep our life mission in mind and work on it.
Dark clouds in your life can drive you to feel enraged or rebellious, to say things you shouldn’t, and so on. In short, dark clouds can cause you to stumble and make mistakes. You shouldn’t stumble, but that’s the reality of life. Every time you stumble upon a mitzvah, as long as there is Emunah, you can get back up and continue. However, if there is no emunah…
Emunah is life, and it is inextricably linked to G-d’s Oneness, and hence to the “Shema Israel, the L-rd our G-d is One”, that Jews recite every day. When getting up and going to bed. At the start of life (in baby boy’s British) and at the end of life.
May G-d strengthen our Emunah and thereby deepen our relationship with Him because of His Emunah in use.
By Angelique Sijbolts
Sources
[1] Jewish Laws and Thoughtskeyboard_arrow_right Foundations of Faith
[2] The Divine Code by Rabbi Moshe Weiner 4e edition p. 33
נתיבות שלום
Video: R’ Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin’s miraculous release from prison was an end to an injustice and the beginning of a new era of Emunah and Bitachon. Since then, he has dedicated his life to sharing the clarity we all so admired and teaching all who want to learn how to apply Emunah and Bitachon in our lives practically. The need is so great that he is raising funds so he can host more people at his Shiurim, Shabbatons, and seminars. This song was composed not only to help with this worthy campaign, but to celebrate his miracle, acknowledge his dedication, and help spread the message of Aleph Beis Gimmel – Emunah and Bitachon will bring us each the Geulah we need. Make the time to grow in your own Emunah and Bitachon and help R’ Sholom Mordechai the means to help others at https://alephbeisgimmel.com/Campaign/ Aleph, Beis, Gimmel! Credits: Performed by: Benny Friedman Produced by: Doni Gross & Yitzy Waldner Composed by: Yitzy Waldner Lyrics by: Getzel Rubashkin Musical Production: Doni Gross Recorded at: DeG Studios, NYC Video by: Getzel Rubashkin Benny PR: I & Me Media
Texts: Sefaria.org
With thanks to B. Yaniger for the inspiration
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