The Soul's Desire to Know That HaShem Is God

Da'at Tevunot 1:1

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·March 24, 2026

Said the Soul - My desire and will is to become settled regarding some items from among those about which it is said (Deuteronomy 4:39) "...and lay upon your heart that HaShem is the G-d...", behold they are among the essentials of our faith that every man must seek after knowing them, to the degree that he can grasp:ּ

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Da'at TevunotThe Soul Struggles With God's Straightforward CompletenessIn a fascinating passage from Da'at (Knowledge) Tevunot – which translates to "The Knowledge of Discernment," a profound work of Jewish thought – we encounter a Ben SiraStay Far From Those Who Wield Power to KillBen Sira turns to Stay Far From Those Who Wield Power to Kill. He starts with a stark warning: "Keep far from a person who has authority to kill, and you will n Ben SiraOrigin of Souls of SiraBen Sira, in his wisdom, captures that feeling perfectly. He says, "My inward parts were hot as an oven for her, to behold her; Therefore I possessed her as a g Letter of AristeasHonor God Not With Gifts but Purity of SoulThe scene: a king, eager to tap into the minds of wise men. He poses a question to one of them: "What is the highest form of glory?" The answer? It's not what y Letter of AristeasIs Wisdom Something That Can Be TaughtLetter of Aristeas turns to Is Wisdom Something That Can Be Taught. The king, overflowing with generosity, had just finished toasting his guests. But his genero Da'at TevunotWhen Revolutions Look Like the Opposite of God's PlanYou’re not alone. The ancient texts wrestle with this feeling too. Da'at (Knowledge) Tevunot, or "Understanding Wisdom," grapples with some pretty big questions