Daf Yomi, Marriage Counseling, Psychotherapy, Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, Torah and Psychology
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes a verse in Koheles (2:14): “The wise have their eyes in their head whereas the fools walk in darkness.” The unwise person is metaphorically represented as a fool in darkness. Why this metaphor? Darkness is something that blocks the person from seeing reality. Just like in the darkness, one cannot see obstacles that are truly there; in a certain state of mind one cannot see the truth that’s right in front of him. Torah wisdom is likened to light because it quite literally “enlightens.” This is why in the birchos keriyas shema liturgy, the first blessing is on light and then the second blessing is on Torah. We are not just blessing God for the heavenly spheres, but also for the symbolic idea that He gives us the tools to be able to see and comprehend the truth of the world.
Likkutei Maharan (112-113) expands on the theme of this verse, that wisdom is light, particularly the sense of pure truth and self-honesty. He notes that the way out of the quagmire of impurity and corruption created by sin is to encounter raw honesty and truth. When one is utterly truthful in thought and words, he will instantly access God, who is the source of all truth.
To support this he reinterprets a Rashi in a delightful allegorical manner. The verse in Bereishis (6:16) states that Noach should build a tzohar in the Ark. Rashi (ibid) records two opinions about what this tzohar was . One opinion says it was a window, and the other says it was a gem that provided light from within. Likkutei Maharan says this represents the two ways in which a person can encounter truth. One is where he does not yet have the fullest sense of truth and self-honesty within. Such a person can still access honesty, but it must come from the teachings and inspiration of others. However, there also is a person who reaches a higher level and finds the truth inside. Such a person becomes close to God directly through his inner honesty, connecting and accessing God, who is the source of truth. The window in the Ark is an allegory for getting access to the truth from outside inspiration and the gem that provides its own light is allegorical for the truth that comes from within.
The standard peshat in the words, “the Wise have their eyes in their head” is that they are introspective and consider the consequences of their choices prior to taking action. With the Likkutei Maharan’s idea we can say more. The truly wise are able to find truth by looking inward; so long as they are completely honest with themselves they will find direct access to God. Being honest with oneself is the work of one lifetime if not many.
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Translations Courtesy of Sefaria, except when, sometimes, I disagree with the translation
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Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, LCSW-R, LMFT, DHL is a psychotherapist who works with high conflict couples and families. He can be reached via email at simchafeuerman@gmail.com