It’s in their eyes, their smile… their whole face seems to radiate something. But what is that "something"?

In Da'at Tevunot, a profound work of Jewish thought, we find a fascinating idea about this very phenomenon. The text suggests that when we really delve into the nature of humanity, we discover something beyond just the physical body and the soul. There's a third element, something that binds them together: the radiance of the face.

Think about it. What's the most obvious difference between the living and the dead? It's that spark, that light, that's gone. But it’s more nuanced than that, isn't it? Even among the living, the degree to which the soul is present in the body can be seen through the face. A sick person looks different. Their face reflects their inner state.

Have you ever noticed how easily we can read emotions on someone's face? Playfulness, anger, deep thought... all these inner states are broadcast outwardly. And Da'at Tevunot points out that this radiance isn't inherent to the soul alone, nor to the body alone. The soul, on its own, doesn't radiate. And a body without a soul is just an empty vessel. No, this radiance is something entirely new, born from the very joining of body and soul. It's an emergent property, something more than the sum of its parts.

This concept isn't just a philosophical musing, either. It ties into how prophets perceive and relate to the divine. Remember when the prophets describe God in human terms? Like a powerful warrior going to war, or an elderly man filled with mercy, as the Sages discuss in Chaggigah 14a. These aren't literal descriptions, of course. Instead, the prophet’s eye visualizes these forms, conceives them in his heart, in order to understand – through prophetic vision – the concealment of God’s face and the illumination of His goodness.

It's about understanding that the image is born from their joining. It’s like the appearance of a human being, with a body, a soul, and an illuminated face emerging from the union of the two. The expressiveness of that face – whether lighthearted, angry, or anything in between – gives us insight. It helps us understand, in a way, what HaShem (the Name), will do in His world, to the right or to the left.

So, next time you look at someone's face, remember that you're not just seeing skin and bone. You're seeing the radiance of a soul embodied, a testament to the profound connection between the physical and the spiritual. It's a reminder that we are all complex beings, and our faces are a window into the beautiful, mysterious dance of body and soul. What does your face reveal?