The Emuna Fortress

An explosion occurs when gases expand at a ferocious rate. The force of the expansion is so great it can destroy just about any material that stands in its way.

An implosion is the opposite. An implosion is where the core of something collapses. The collapse creates an empty void, drawing in everything around it.

There are two points in the human system where if an implosion were to occur, we would collapse. These are the heart and the brain.

What happens when we have a crisis in emuna? What would happen if, G-d forbid, we were to lose our emuna completely? It would be as if our heart collapsed. The mind, which is the seat of the soul, could collapse as well.

Emuna is the most vital part of our being.

G-d loves us. He didn’t put us in this world to live static lives. Every part of our being has to be in a constant state of growth. When we get comfortable in a situation, it means that we are passing all the tests. We’re ready for new ones. Unless we accept harder challenges, how else can we bring a greater light to the world? How else can we earn more merit for this world and the World to Come? How else can we get closer to Hashem?

Everything in this world comes straight from its Maker. He will shake our emuna for the sole purpose of strengthening it.

Almost every test in life is passed. Very few are passed with a perfect score.

A heavyweight champion boxer doesn’t go an entire fight without being punched. A Super Bowl quarterback will not go a full game without being tackled, and a grand slam tennis player will not go a complete set without giving up points.

We will seldom pass a test in emuna without experiencing a minor setback or two. Even as we pass the test there may be moments where a voice from somewhere is questioning our resolve. There may be times throughout a trial where we may have to contend with the fear that Hashem is on a coffee break, or that our most agonizing moments are random and not part of a greater plan.

What happens when we begin to show signs of wear and tear? What happens after our Evil Inclination lands a knockout blow and we start to question if G-d really is looking right at us?

What happens when the test is complete and we return to G-d, but with the knowledge that for a moment we questioned our emuna? What happens when the stockbroker calls to congratulate us on the comeback, our doctor informs us that our father’s cancer is in full remission, or the employment agency calls to tell us we got the job – and we cannot truthfully say to G-d, “I never doubted You for a second.”

Is there anything we can do to prevent the uneasy feeling that once things get better, we won’t have to repent for entertaining thoughts that go against G-d’s just and perfect supervision of the universe? Is there a way to come out of a test of emuna with the certainty that we passed it with flying colors?

Baruch Hashem – absolutely!

If an implosion is taking place, the key is to reinforce the walls. Find the spot farthest away from the void and bolster it. Even as the implosion eats away at everything in its path, it will be stopped at the point we concentrate our efforts on.

When we are being pushed back in life, our feelings are the first to be compromised. Then our thoughts turn against us. The crisis eats away at what’s closest to it.

Where do we draw the line in the sand? Where do we make our stand?

In our actions.

The best way to pass a trial in life is to grow. Find out why Hashem has sent this particular trial at this particular time. Once you have a good feel for where you need to improve, make a change. It can be a simple daily deed. It can be devoting our daily personal prayer to this challenge.

Once we do this, we have our emuna fortress. The trials can get as hard as they like. The times can be as challenging as ever. Even as our heart and mind show signs of stress, our limbs never will. Even as we have to fight our own senses, we still do something every day to stand up for our dearest conviction that Hashem is with us at every second and all of His actions are Just, Compassionate, and Merciful.

Even if our entire being has been squeezed by the Evil Inclination, our actions can always hold true to what we really believe!

As long as the change we built into our life stays intact throughout it all, once the dust settles and the trial is over we can honestly say to our Father in Heaven that we never doubted.

* * *
Dovber Halevi is the author of Sex, Religion, and the Middle East, a book about personal holiness and happiness. He lives in Israel with his wife and three children.