Understanding vs. Internalization

Yankel, a poor and illiterate Jew from the shtetl, was celebrating the wedding of his only daughter, standing joyfully under the chuppah as she embarked on a life of happiness. Suddenly, the town crier burst in, delivering an urgent letter addressed to him. Unable to read, Yankel handed it to the town scribe, who skimmed its contents, then leaned in and whispered a few words into Yankel’s ear. Instantly, Yankel cried out, "Oy vey!" and fainted on the spot. The letter contained a simple yet devastating message: Yankel, I’m sorry to tell you, but your father has passed.

A profound truth: the difference between merely understanding something and truly getting it. The scribe comprehended the words on the page, yet they held no emotional weight for him. But for Yankel, this was not just information—it was a deeply personal and shattering reality.

Everyone experiences moments of “religious boredom” from time to time. There will inevitably be times when your rituals feel routine rather than inspiring. You may go through the motions, but what happens when it no longer feels meaningful? The key question to ask yourself is: Does Judaism move me? If your answer is an enthusiastic “Yes, every day, all day!”—wonderful, you’re on the right path. But if your response is a hesitant “Not always,” then keep reading.

The commonly used term for Jewish practice, halachah (or halakhah), is often translated as “Jewish law.” However, its Hebrew root, H-L-KH, means “to go” or “to walk,” which raises an important question: why is Jewish law described as movement? Some explain that it signifies the way Jews “walk” with it throughout life—it is not just a set of rules but the very path by which we journey as a people. Others connect it to the verse, “And you shall make known to them the way they shall go and the deeds they shall do,” (Exodus 18:20)? emphasizing that Judaism is about actively following G-d’s direction. Halachah is a divine gift meant to propel us forward.

This all sounds inspiring, but like most lofty ideas, the real question is: how? How do you step onto this moving path of halachah? What if you go through the motions of learning, praying, and practicing, yet feel unmoved? Are you missing something essential?? A clue lies in the opening verse of our parshah: “And these are the ordinances that you shall set before them.” (Exodus 21:1) The word “ordinances” sounds rigid and formal, but thanks to the ancient Aramaic translation of Onkelos—who translated the Torah during the Roman Empire—we gain a deeper perspective. The Hebrew word mishpat, meaning “ordinance,” is elsewhere translated by Onkelos as hilcheta—our very word of the day, halachah!

The key to truly engaging with halachah lies in the next phrase: “that you shall set before them.” The Hebrew lifneihem (“before them”) has multiple meanings, one of which is “to their pnimiyut”—their innermost being. Pnimiyut is a word that defies direct translation; it conveys an intuitive depth, the kind of soulful experience shared at a farbrengen over schnapps and song. But if we must translate, it means to “internalize”.

The essence of halachah—and of a meaningful Jewish life—is not just about knowing or doing, but about feeling and internalizing. Just as Yankel truly got the message of his father’s passing in a way the scribe never could, so too must we strive to move beyond mere understanding and into pnimiyut—a deep, personal connection to our faith. Judaism is not meant to be a lifeless routine but a living, breathing journey that stirs the soul. The key is to engage with halachah not just as a set of rules, but as the path that propels us forward. When we allow it to reach our innermost being, to touch and transform us, then Judaism is no longer just something we practice—it’s something we live.