Geula Cohen, better known to the young among us as the mother of Minister Tzachi Hanegbi (born on 8th Tevet 1946), is a well-known public figure from the right-wing camp in Israel who previously served as a deputy minister, a member of Knesset, and a journalist.
Before the establishment of the state, she served in the Etzel organization and later joined Lehi. As part of her many roles, she was privileged to have a special connection with the Lubavitcher Rebbe, which included a series of correspondences. While serving as a senior journalist at the Maariv newspaper, she was even privileged to enter the Rebbe's private quarters, during which she held a rare interview with the Rebbe on issues of the integrity of the people and the land.
After two hours of sessions, in which she heard the Rebbe's spiritual, security, social and political teachings, Cohen left shocked and moved, and in an article later published in the newspaper she wrote: "I've already sat in front of a wise man, I've already sat in front of a learned man, I've already sat in front of an artist, but to sit in front of a believer - that's different.
""When you leave the presence of a wise person - you remain what you are. What you were before you entered: stupid or wise; when you leave the presence of an educated person - you remain what you are: educated or ignorant; when you leave the presence of an artist - what you are: artist or craftsman. But when you leave the presence of a believer - you leave different. For even if the believer's faith does not cling to you, it applies to you as well. The believer believes in you too.
""I met a wise and intelligent Jew. A knowledgeable man, a profound man. A man of spirit in whom you loved a person. But most of all I met a 'man of faith'...".
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This week I got into an argument, or perhaps it would be more accurate to say a discussion, between two women who are radically different from each other, loving in their hearts but divided in their opinions.
One believed that knowledge is the driving force, and if we can only bring clear and enlightened knowledge to a larger audience of women, those women will be strengthened in their faith. Because knowledge is what will attract their hearts, illuminate their path, and bring them toward action, which will form the basis for faith.
The second, on the other hand, believed that although knowledge is a driving force for action and change, knowledge can also be corrupting and harmful. Knowledge that is based only on the mind of the understanding, researching person, thirsting for knowledge to satisfy the hunger of his healthy mind and bring him to wisdom and proficiency, can serve as a guide for that knowledge recipient, his listeners, hearers, and audience of fans.
At the end of a discussion in which the love that resided between the two and their love succeeded in reconciling and bridging their divided opinions. This happened when they found themselves inspired by the words written by the Lubavitcher Rebbe more than seventy years ago.
The Rebbe's words proved more than a thousand witnesses that they are all right. These and these are the words of the living God. It is only a matter of timing until the world recognizes and knows the kingdom of God by virtue of confession and innocence and not by the study of his mind and wisdom.
""Great is the study of Talmud that leads to action," our sages taught us, may their memory be blessed.
In the books of Chabad Hasidism, we are told that in the future, the deed will be greater than the Talmud. At the coming of the Messiah, everyone will see the virtue of confession and innocence, as everyone believes in pure faith in God, His Torah, and His commandments, even when it is not understood by their minds.
Talmud means understanding. The highest understanding is limited by intellectual ability. But confession - faith - is an unlimited emotion. The Messiah King will prove and explain the "great deed." Why is Talmud great? Because it brings about a deed - an act of innocence, in the sense of perfection, the work of the heart that is above the intellect.
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In the parsha we just studied, Judah approaches Joseph and even acknowledges him as the ruler of the land. But in the days of the Messiah, everyone will acknowledge that Judah is the ruler. The Messiah is a descendant of King David, a descendant of Judah.
The tension throughout history between the sons of Joseph and the sons of Judah symbolizes the constant tension between the educated and the naive people of action. And both societies are right.
There is indeed room for both movements and both are necessary, and therefore sometimes this one (Joseph) rises and sometimes that one (Judah). But the final and permanent kingship belongs to Judah.
This is what will be revealed in the days of the Messiah - the virtue of those who do the deed. They are, it turns out, the more exalted people.
• Miri Shneorson – presenter, lecturer, and media representative. To book a lecture, leave your details: lp.770marketing.com/miri_shneorson
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