... Recommend this page to a friend.

This is just one example of the way Jewish people analyze, dissect, and look for meaning in each and every letter of the Torah, and all the many interpretations handed down to us from our many sages:

One of the first words we learn to say during praying in a group is amen. Some among the very orthodox say it is quite a moving experience to be part of a thundering AMEN in a large house of study or synagogue; it is a spiritually powerful tool as well.

The Talmud tells us that "Anyone who answers Amen with all his strength merits to have opened in front of him the gates of Gan Eden" (Garden of Eden, but really G-d's presence in the world-to-come). True or not, we might ask what the word Amen means and what does it imply.

For this writer, it is this asking that makes him so proud to be a Jew. We have that searching quality to know more about things spiritual, no matter what denomination of Jew he or she is. So what do we know about the word, "Amen"?

The word Amen is related to the word "Emunah" that means faith and/or belief. Therefore reciting Amen to a blessing or a prayer demonstrates a statement of affirmation that the blessing is true and hope that the prayer will be answered.

All right, we'll call that a definition; now for an analysis or even a mental stretch to make Amen more meaningful. Amen is also an acronym; it stands for Ayl Melech Neeman (G-d is a true and faithful king). The Jewish laws teach that an individual says these three words before reciting the Shema if he is praying alone.

Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe (deceased) revealed a deeper implication of the word Amen. He explained that mans' relationship with G-d is three-dimensional; we know Him through His creation, His revelation at Sinai, and His promise of redemption.

Creation:
We recognize G-d by his handiwork. Look at a sunset, a rainbow, a glacier, the tiniest leaf, the human body, and the entire animal kingdom; they all showcase G-d's involvement on this planet.

Revelation:
At Mount Sinai, more than 3300 years ago, believers say that G-d transcended from the heavens and uttered the first two commandments. The awesome encounter described in Deuteronomy 4:9 was a moment of national inspiration and prophesy when the Infinite came directly in contact with a finite. This can be considered the most important moment in world history.

Might be likened to MichaelAngelo's depicting G-d's finger touching Adam's finger. How clever he was to keep an infinitely small space between the fingers. We'll still consider it the Infinite contacting the finite.

Redemption:
In Zechariah 14:9 it says, "And on that day G-d will be one, and His name will be one." The promise is that one day all the nations of the world will recognize the one G-d and then evil and falsehood will be erased from the Earth.

These three concepts are ensconced in the word Amen. Ayl represents G-d's trait of kindliness with which He created the world. Melech says that He is our King due to the Torah we have received from Him. And Neeman says that He is faithful and will one day reveal His grandeur to the world and bring redemption to all mankind.

After digesting these thoughts, answering Amen to a blessing should never be the same. Let us hope that all people will someday be able to open the heavens with their prayers, and merit to see the blessings of the Torah fulfilled.

Thank you, Rabbi Epstein, of Cong. Sons of Israel in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, for the above teachings in this matter. Hope you don't mind the slight changes made to make it more palatable for the larger population.

The Siddur (prayer book) has the blessings that precede the Shema and states "Hameir Laaretz Veladarim Aleha Berachamim" (He provides illumination to the land and to its inhabitants with mercy). Intelligent people ask questions, and there are several questions we may ask when examining this phrase carefully.

1. Why does the prayer mention both the land and its inhabitants ... wouldn't one have been enough?

2. Doesn't the light reach the inhabitants before it reaches the earth so why is it listed in the reverse order?

3. How is mercy demonstrated when providing light for the world?

Rabbi Yosef of Bialostok, who lived in Prussia (Poland/Germany) in the early 1800's, explains that the land benefits from the light because it is only through sunlight that produce is able to grow. Humanity gains from the sun in so many different ways i.e. energy, light, nutrients and warmth ... to name a few.`

Rabbi Avigdor Miller (one of my teachers; now deceased) explains that inhabitants are mentioned second because they are the purpose and fulfillment of creation. The earth, the land and nature are worthless if not for humanity that resides upon it. Therefore the order is specific and precise ... first the land and then its inhabitants.

An interesting note ... Rabbi Miller uses the same logic to explain all the earth, stars and the firmements, were all created for the sole purpose of the human population. Like any wedding, first come the cleaners and sweepers, then the chefs and cooks, then the busboys and waiters (to set the tables), then the musicians, then the guests, and finally making their appearance are the real purpose of the entire affair ... the groom and bride. And the bride really makes her appearance last even in the wedding procession. In the same way, all creation was in that same "reversed order" with last to be created being Adam and Eve (the human population).

Finally, the prayer, Baruch Sheamar, states that it is only through G-d's mercy that the gift of sunlight is distributed properly to the earth. If there would be too much sun all of the crops would die. If there would be too little sun then the crops would not grow. The sun is the perfect distance away from the earth. If it would be too close to the earth or if it would be too far away it would cause untold havoc. Did you ever take note that the sun rises and sets gradually so that we can easily adjust to the changes from darkness to light and light to darkness? This is a revealing demonstration of "plan and purpose" and G-d's mercy.