The text emphasizes that knowing God's singularity – His absolute oneness – isn't enough. It can't just be a mental exercise. It has to sink deep, becoming a bedrock of our being, unwavering and sure.
The text quotes Moshe (Moses) himself, from Deuteronomy 4:39: "And you shall know today and return to your hearts that HaShem, He is the G-d in the heavens above and on the earth below; there is no other." This isn’t just about acknowledging God's existence. It’s about internalizing that He is everything.
And it's not just Moshe. The text reminds us that God Himself testifies to this, pointing to Deuteronomy 32:39: "See now that I, I am He and there is no other G-d with me." This declaration, embedded within the Ha'azinu song that foretells the future, underscores the all-encompassing nature of God's presence. All the events, all the "revolutions of the globe," as the text calls them, are ultimately a revelation of His unique being.
Think about that for a moment. Everything that happens, from the smallest particle to the grandest cosmic event, is a reflection of God's oneness.
The prophet Isaiah echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of belief and understanding. As it's written in Isaiah 43:10-11, "In order that you know and believe me and understand that I am He, before me no G-d was created and there will be no other after me. I, I am HaShem and there is no savior other than me.” Again, the focus isn't just on knowing, but on believing and understanding. It’s about transforming knowledge into conviction. And again in Isaiah 44:6, "I am first and I am last and there is no G-d other than me." This isn't just a statement of power, but a declaration of all-encompassing reality.
And it continues: "In order that you know from the east and the west that there is nothing other than me, I am HaShem and there is no other. The maker of light and creator of darkness making peace and creating the negative, I am HaShem the maker of all of these" (Isaiah 45:6-7). He is the source of everything, even things we might perceive as negative. Light and darkness, peace and its opposite – all emanate from the same ultimate source.
Why is this so important? Da'at Tevunot suggests that the ultimate goal is for the entire world to recognize and understand God's singularity. The success promised to Israel, according to the text, is ultimately tied to this universal understanding. The prophets repeatedly point to a future where God will be exalted, where His name will be one throughout the earth.
The text references verses like Isaiah 2:11 ("...and HaShem will be exalted on that day"), Zechariah 14:9 ("And HaShem will be king [on all the earth] HaShem will be one and His name will be one"), and Zephaniah 3:9 ("For then I will overturn the peoples to all call in the the name of HaShem and to worship him as one accord"). These verses paint a picture of a future where God's oneness is universally acknowledged.
Ultimately, it all comes back to the Shema, our daily declaration of faith, found in Deuteronomy 6:4: "Hear O' Israel, HaShem our G-d, HaShem is One." It's not just a statement we recite; it's a truth we strive to embody, to internalize, to make the very core of our being.
So, how do we move from knowing God's oneness intellectually to truly feeling it in our hearts? It's a lifelong journey, a continuous process of learning, reflection, and internalization. It's about constantly striving to see God in every aspect of our lives, in the beauty of the world around us, and in the challenges we face. It's about making the Shema not just a prayer, but a way of life.