시편 139:14의 인용 해설

In the name of the great G-d, and the fearful,¹Daniel 9:4. It could not be Deuteronomy 10:17 since there the attribute mighty is mentioned. It is possible that the author chose the verse from Daniel rather than that of Deuteronomy in order to allude to the rest of the verse there: And I prayed unto the Eternal my G-d, and made confession and said, O, Eternal the great and fearful G-d, and Who keepest the covenant and mercy with them that love Thee and keep Thy commandments. There is thus here an allusion to a prayer for G-d’s mercy in the author’s work before him. I will begin to write novel interpretations On the explanation of the Torah, With terror, with fear, With trembling, with sweat, with dread,²See Berachoth 22 a, where it is explained that these are the ways in which the Torah was given and by which it was studied. Praying and confessing With a humble heart and a broken spirit, Asking forgiveness, Seeking pardon and atonement,³That is, in case he errs in his interpretations and especially in his refuting the opinions of the other masters. With bowing to the ground, With kneeling, with prostration, Until all the vertebrae of the spine Seem to be loosened.⁴Berachoth 28 b. And that my soul knoweth right well,⁵Psalms 139:14. In clear awareness, That the egg of the ant is not as small In comparison to the outermost sphere As is my little wisdom And brief knowledge Against the hidden matters of the Torah⁶A reference to the Cabala — the mystic teachings of the Torah — elements of which the author intends to include in his commentary, but here he confesses his brief knowledge thereof. That lie hidden in her house, Concealed in her room; For every precious thing and every wonder, Every profound mystery and all glorious wisdom Are stored up with her, Sealed up in her treasure By a hint, by a word, In writing and in speaking; Just as the prophet — who was adorned With royal garments and a crown, The annointed of the G-d of Jacob,⁷II Samuel 23:1. The author of the sweetest of songs — said: I have seen an end To every purpose; But Thy commandment Is exceedingly broad,⁸Psalms 119:96. And it is said, Thy testimonies are wonderful; Therefore doth my soul keep them.⁹Ibid., Verse 129.

First approach, regarding all the commandments of the Torah. In every commandment, there are two aspects: the first is the action itself, doing the commandment in practice; the second is the intention of the commandment, to understand and comprehend the secrets of the Torah which God has hidden from the nations, as it is written The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him (Psalms 25:14). And it is written He has not dealt thus with any nation; and as for His judgments, they have not known them (Psalms 147:20). For God has hidden the secrets of the Torah from the nations and entrusted them to Israel, therefore it says, it is not too wondrous for you. For if it should cross your mind to say, “How can I perform the commandment without intention, like a donkey carrying books?” To this it responds that this is not the case, rather it is not too wondrous for you. For if the works of God are wondrous to the nations, they are not wondrous to you, as it is written Wondrous are Your works, and my soul knows it well (Psalms 139:14). For the tablets are the work of God and are indeed wondrous to the nations, but my soul knows it well, for You have heard my prayer, Do not hide Your commandments from me (Psalms 119:19), which refers to the secrets of the Torah. And regarding the practical performance, it says and it is not far — not only from you but from all nations it is not far, for God did not command you to bring from afar any commandment. For regarding sacrifices, our Sages said (Vayikra Rabbah 27:6) that the Holy One, Blessed be He, said, “I did not trouble you to bring a sacrifice from species that are not in your possession, but only from cattle and sheep that are in your possession, etc.” And from these, you can infer about all the commandments that the Holy One, Blessed be He, did not command you to bring something from afar for a commandment, but only things that are readily available to you.