Loosely translated as faith in God, emuna is considered the cornerstone of Jewish belief and practice. What does the term emuna mean? How does this affect my life? When are we as Jews required to have or practice this emuna?
Unfortunately, many people assume that emuna refers to blind faith. However, this is not the case. In the Aleinu prayer recited at or near the end of every prayer service, we proclaim: “And you shall know today, and take to heart, that God is the only God…” We are instructed to ‘know’ that God exists. Blind leaps of faith have nothing to do with knowledge; they are expressions of what one wishes to be true, not what is in fact necessarily true.
Emuna begins in the mind as intellectual Emuna, formed after hard rational work and inquiry. Ultimate contemplation of the world and how it could not be created other than by an infinite Being will help us achieve this intellectual faith.
Knowing in our minds that our Creator is there is the first step. However, in time and with repeated practice, emuna can melt into the heart. After we readily acknowledge that God is part of our life and never leaves, we can work on developing loyalty to God with that knowledge and slowly begin to feel it internally. Rather than pure intellectual belief, emuna should be defined as the act of being faithful or loyal. It is the basic requirement of any healthy relationship and demands constant reinforcement.
With time and dedication we can strive toward living a life permeated by emuna. Emuna is developed throughout a lifetime and needs to be repeatedly contemplated. Loyalty to God becomes essential when life throws us a sharp curve ball which may cause us to lose balance and doubt that things truly are for the best.
Yet at these painful times, it is also more difficult to exercise our emuna muscles. It becomes most challenging when reality presents hardships that conflict with our ability to intellectually understand. The loss of harmony between that which we know in our minds to be true – God is taking care of us as part of His nation – yet do not enjoy or cannot see the logic in, is what provides us with our free will.
Through the means of free will, we choose whether to remain loyal to the word of God in spite of the pain, or to shun the word of God because of its seeming illogicality. Emuna is understanding that we cannot understand the totality of God’s knowledge, but recognizing and accepting that everything serves a purpose despite this.
Once we know logically that God is always with us, and we have started practicing this loyalty regularly, we can now engage in everyday life with trust in Him. This feeling of trust gives us a gift of security knowing that we are in perfect hands as we are being individually directed and handled by God Himself. Therefore, we can enjoy the feeling that we are being led through life by means of a personal guide, and that there is meaning and purpose to every event that occurs.
Emuna comes with practice of the mind and action. Utilizing life’s encounters as a prospect to seeing God in my life increases our awareness of His constant presence. We can use challenges as catalysts to come closer to our Creator since we extract meaning and grow from the experience.
For example, when traveling by bus to Jerusalem we can sit back, relax and enjoy the view. We can be free from worry, knowing that the driver is professional and knows how and where to drive. If we did not trust the driver’s skill, or we thought we could drive a bus better than him,, we may sit on edge the entire ride, questioning his navigation skills and driving abilities. In contrast, with emuna we can calmly sit on the bus, enjoy the scenery and await our final destination.
Sitting in bumper to bumper car traffic is boot camp for strengthening our emuna muscles. Some thoughts to ponder might include:
- I must be delayed for a good reason;
- maybe it is slippery ahead and needed to slow down or possibly;
- I need time to recollect my thoughts before continuing to drive.
The bottom line – there is purpose to my slowing down and it is all good for me even if I cannot readily see it.
Having someone cut the line while waiting for a cashier is another opportunity to exercise my emuna muscles. Perhaps this is a chance to refine my personality by allowing the other person to go in front without feeling bitter?
Emuna is looking beyond the limited now and knowing that we may not fully grasp the meaning of what is happening. We think we know what is best for us, but emuna means have faith that only God really knows. Nonetheless, we also have faith that one day we too will know.
(16) lorrie, May 9, 2020 5:28 PM
a diamond- with many faucets -called faith
thanks for the article on faith. even though am not Jewish, but have to admit the definition of faith in juddism is /has more than one definition/principle. could you compare your definition of faith with the other main religions? would like a email copy of the article.
(15) Bob Morley, May 30, 2018 9:51 AM
Define how one "knows".
I long since rejected "blind faith", and ardently studying in a Chabad, but this article does not tell us HOW we are to "know" God rather than "believe" God.
"Blind leaps of faith have nothing to do with knowledge; they are expressions of what one wishes to be true, not what is in fact necessarily true."
TRUE, but then the article said...
"Emuna begins in the mind as intellectual Emuna, formed after hard rational work and inquiry. Ultimate contemplation of the world and how it could not be created other than by an infinite Being will help us achieve this intellectual faith.
That is called the logical fallacy of "argument from ignorance"
That really is the same as blind faith.
To say, "what else could it be" is not "evidence". It is the LACK of evidence and then a "wild ass guess".
Contemplation of "What else COULD have created the world?" is simply brainwashing yourself that something is true just because you have thought about it a lot.
That is not "knowledge"; it is blind faith, also know as self-induced delusion.
Christianity and Islam REQUIRE blind faith BECAUSE they are false religions and objective study of their claim will eventually prove to the honest student that they are a lie.
Israel MET God as a nation, a claim NO OTHER religion can make. It sets Judaism apart from the rest We do not rely upon one man's unverifiable conversation with God.
Jews don't need to "contempate" "what else COULD it be"; THEY KNOW!!
(14) Anonymous, September 13, 2016 4:28 AM
Keep up your gr8 work! A true source of inspiration!
What you wrote is so true. A couple of years ago I was going through a very difficult time period, and I kept on asking myself why is Hashem doing this to me. I was sure at that time that there is a deeper meaning and purpose for my suffering. At times when I could no longer take the physical and emotional suffering, I would ask Hashem why are you doing this to me? Have I ever been unfaithful to you? Is this the way to repent for my sins of my previous gilgul? And at times I truly felt that Hashem has left my side. And in those difficult moments I would talk out loud with my full voice and say: Hashem please show me a sign show me that you are with me! And at times He would show me and at other times He wouldn't. But today as I'm an active member in kiruv I have a full view and understanding as of why Hashem has put in that spot. If not for that experience I would never have been able to understand other in suffering nor relate to their nisyonut. It is due to my suffering that I've been the right shliach to save others from spiritual downfall. My suffering was a true boot camp for my future. And in hindsight, today I thank Hashem for those days of agony. Your article was a complete statement of my experience . The icing on the cake, a true grit from Hashem. Thank you for being a source of inspiration and may Hashem give you continuous strength and health to inspire all of klal yisroel amen.
(13) Candi, October 24, 2014 10:25 PM
I'd like some of your faith.
I'm learning. Life hasn't been a bowl of cherries, but I'm still standing thanks to G_d. I'm still thankful for what He's blessed me with. But this thing you have, I'd like to have. Show me the way.
(12) Philippe, December 4, 2013 7:52 PM
Faith comes from G-d himself
May I add the following: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Faith is supernatural in itself as full of contradictions and so far from our intellect. G-d in his wonderful love for his creation and man in particular not only provides, responding to our faith, but provides the faith itself as well. This makes our faith solid and reliable as its own source and origin is in the Creator himself. It is how I can walk in this life confident that He walks with me or carries me when I'm weak. Ps 63.9.
shalom.
Nathaniel, December 7, 2013 3:25 AM
Faith=/=Knowledge
The point of the article was that people need knowledge–not blind faith. Faith is something other religions have, because they have no proof of a revelation. Judaism is the only religion that was revealed to over 600,000–3 million people, and has been passed down, father to child, rabbi/judge/sage/elder to student. It's also the only religion that can point to miracles happening today–no (intelligent) atheist could research Israel's history and remain an atheist.
Anyway, pardon my asking, but as a Christian, why are you on this site? I don't wish to be offensive–it's just that this website is the last place I would expect to see a Christian, or for that matter, anyone but a Jew or Noachide.
mike, August 15, 2014 2:24 PM
emunah
Very well put - a noahide
Lia, November 2, 2014 12:22 AM
Noachide by definition is a non-Jew
You were saying that only a Jew or Noachide would be interested in this site. A Noachide is by definition a non-Jew who observes the 7 Noachide laws for non Jews. Are you saying that someone identifying themselves as Christian could not be a Noachide?
(11) Tzippy Erblich, December 4, 2013 8:17 AM
emunah is a muscle that needs a workout!
Just like the above commenters said, emuna falters when crisis occurs UNLESS you practice emunah regularly. The Daily Dose of Emunah is a perfect vehicle for that practice-check it out and begin the workout!
(10) Anonymous, December 4, 2013 6:51 AM
having faith
It is easy to have faith when things are good . It is in a crisis.when having faith is a challenge . And yet , this is when faith is needed the most.
(9) Anonymous, December 4, 2013 12:55 AM
nice but not helpful
I know people who believed rationally but despite trying never got to fully trust G-d. I personally tell myself of all the benefits from hardships but I still have little confidence in things like death since all we see is the earth encompassing us. It is hard to believe that G-d will do kind things to us when dead, when we see holocausts when we are alive. I always try to see the lesson in bad things, even that Israel came out of the holocaust, and still the fear of death, the lack of trust is all consuming. Logically trusting G-d, doing mitzvot, trying to find the lesson in all things, - none of this has taken away my terror of aging and death.
ayalah, December 4, 2013 8:47 AM
Israel did not come out of the Holocaust
ERETS ISRAEL has been given to the JEWISH PEOPLE (bnei Israel) thousands years before the Holocaust... please don't help our enemies!!!!
Anonymous, December 6, 2013 7:06 PM
Used to feel the same way
I used to also live with the fear of aging and death. I decided that it was a waste of my life to live that way. Clearly death was going to happen at some time (aging might happen, depending on how old I grow!) and there is nothing I can do about it. Why not enjoy the time I have? Focusing on the good of this moment helped me. I found that my faith and trust in G-d improved without an intellectual focus on it.
(8) Chaya Feldstrein, December 3, 2013 10:36 PM
Fantastic!
Congratulations on your article posted here at Aish.,com, so enjoyable!
(7) Darlene, December 3, 2013 7:13 PM
Thank you.
I feel so blessed to have felt this way all my life. From the time I was a toddler to present at age 70 I always knew G-d was with me even when no one else was. I just didn't have a word for it. Now I do - Emuma.
Shalom.
Tone Lechtzier, December 4, 2013 5:30 PM
Darlene
Shalom, Amen... me too. With Blessings ~ Tone
(6) James Mickey McCarthy, December 3, 2013 7:06 PM
I have the emuna to believe, that, as Israel goes, so goes the United States. Things, which jeopardize that alliance, effects both parties to that alliance.
(5) Marlene Langert, December 3, 2013 5:48 PM
Logic is not faith
Real faith has nothing to do with logic or intelligence, neither is it blind. Real faith in g-d is felt with the heart, the spirit and the soul, not with the brain. In my opinion, it is the opposite of what you say. Real faith starts with a knowing and a connection to g-d thru the soul, spirit and heart. If you have real faith, you have no doubts about g-d's existence.
After that, it will seep into your brain, but not because of logic, but because of knowing g-d. Proof, logic do not matter because you do not need them to absolutely know that g-d is in charge and He has a reason for everything he does!
Anonymous, May 30, 2018 11:33 AM
Alien Abduction
Marlene Langert YOU SAID: Real faith starts with a knowing and a connection to g-d thru the soul, spirit and heart. If you have real faith, you have no doubts about g-d's existence.
But "thru the soul, spirit and heat" are all subjective and unverifiable EITHER by the person "feeling" like that or those around him/her.
By your logic, the people who believe they have been abducted by aliens or people who "feel" like everyone is "after" them have just a valid experience as the "faithful".
Both groups "know in their heart" that they are "right" and justified in their belief, but you would not give credence to a person claiming to have been abducted by aliens, would you?
By your standard, we cannot differentiate between the "faithful" or mentally ill, the deluded and those who are sincerely decieved.
(4) Richard, December 3, 2013 4:17 PM
Emunah or not Emunah is not the Question
We really are a nano-dot in the Universe, actually less than that a femto-dot, actually less than that, I could on and on. Our IQ is about 180 /- (assuming we had Einstein's brain, and he was not yet the smartest man on earth). G-D's IQ is INFINITY, actually it is innefable beyond INFINITY. We cannot ever even pretend what are G-D's ponderings. The TORAH and MIitzvos were given to us to be an interface between us and G-D, i.e., a modus operandi for attachment to the Supreme. Emunah, or not Emunah, we can still attach to G-D, Baruch Hashem via TORAH and Mitzvos. We are so blessed!
(3) Ernie Sigl, December 3, 2013 2:23 PM
Good explanation
very good explanation and will put it into practice
(2) Yosef, December 3, 2013 1:58 PM
Disagree
Your description of emunah puts the "self" in the center instead of HaShem. Viewing every situation as if it were tailor made for one's benefit turns HaShem, the Master of All, into a servant of man.
(1) Jeff, December 3, 2013 9:09 AM
clearly written
Thanks for clarifying such a complex topic so beautifully.You really captured the essence of faith,in a way that made it much easier to grasp.