Knowledge and Faith

As true as the fact that the mind and its elements are gifts from G-d, so does faith inspire us in a way that mere accumulation of knowledge cannot. Faith's inspiration lifts us beyond the boundaries of our finite existence, yet, that inspiration can depart just as easily as it came. Knowledge, however, becomes a part of us and thus changes us decisively. In effect, faith and knowledge complement and balance each other. Delivered on Shabbat Parshat Va'etchanan, Shabbat Nachamu, 5565 (1805), this discourse discusses the fundamental concept of faith in G-d as compared to the imperative to "know" G-d, and the differences between the two.