Hayom Yom 6 Teves - The loftiest knowledge must affect behavior

The daily Hayom Yom with Rabbi Yosef Katzman · Dec 25, 2025 · 4m

כְּתִיב דַּע אֶת אֱלֹקֵי אָבִיךָ וְעָבְדֵהוּ בְּלֵב שָׁלֵם,

It is written:1 “Know the G‑d of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly.”

כִּי כָּל עִנְיַן יְדִיעָה וַהֲשָׂגָה אֲפִילוּ בְּעִנְיָנִים הַיוֹתֵר עֲמוּקִים,

For every concept that is known and comprehended, even the very deepest,

צָרִיךְ לָבוֹא בַּעֲבוֹדָה,

must find expression in Divine service;

הַיְינוּ פְּעוּלַת דָּבָר בְּבֵרוּר וְזִכּוּךְ הַמִּדּוֹת וְהִתְקַשְּׁרוּת פְּנִימִית

that is, in activity that refines and improves one’s middos (emotive qualities) and develops an inner bonding [to G‑d].

הַנִּקְרָא בִּלְשׁוֹן הַחֲסִידוּת…