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"Know it today and ponder it in your heart: God is the Supreme Being in heaven above and on the earth below — there is no other." (Deut. 4:39)
What is the difference between 'knowing it' and 'pondering it in the heart'?
Two Stages of Acceptance
Sometimes, people admit that there is a gap between what they know intellectually and what they are ready for emotionally. They will say, 'Yes, this makes sense. This is a better way, a healthier way, a truer way. Still, it's not for me. It's too hard; I cannot do it.'
Therefore, the Torah emphasizes the importance of two steps. First, we need to recognize the truth. This is the intellectual stage of "know it today." This stage is critical, but it is still only on a theoretical level. It must be followed by the second step: to internalize that which the mind comprehends. We need to accept emotionally the ramifications of this understanding, and be willing to act upon it. This is the second stage, to "ponder it in your heart."
The second stage of practical acceptance should nevertheless be rooted in the initial step of intellectual comprehension. As the Sages taught (Berachot 13a), 'First accept the kingdom of Heaven, and then the yoke of [practical] mitzvot.'
Above and Below
The verse continues by stating that God is supreme in both "the heaven above and on the earth below." What does this mean?
This does not refer to God's unity in the universe, but to our own inner unity when we accept His reign. 'Heaven' and 'earth' are metaphors for our two major faculties, the mind and the heart. We need to be consistent so that how we act is not detached from what we believe.
In summary, we should accept God's kingship on both levels:
To understand intellectually — in the "heaven above" — using our minds, in cognitive thought and belief.
And to act upon that wisdom on a practical level — "on the earth below" — with our hearts and will, by implementing our understanding in the realm of deed and action.
Rabbi Chanan Morrison of Mitzpeh Yericho runs ravkooktorah.org, a website dedicated to presenting the Torah commentary of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook, first Chief Rabbi of Eretz Yisrael, to the English-speaking community.
Gold from the Land of Israel pp. 299-300. Adapted from Olat Re'iyah vol. I, pp. 324-5)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
