v'hamaskil yavin...

v'hamaskil yavin...

These words can be found in numerous places throughout the sefer Degel Machaneh Ephraim. Perhaps they are words that should be appended to end of each of my posts. Literally, they can be translated as "and the enlightened one will understand". The Degel ended sections of his sefer with these words because he understood that it was unnecessary to write lengthy expositions explaining the nuances of his words. He knew that people who were in tune to what he was saying and were on the same wave length would understand.

One of the things I did not like about school was the literary criticism aspect of the English class. We would read a book and afterwards dissect it from many different angles. We tried to uncover a book's symbolism and understand exactly what the author meant. We gave our interpretations with certainty, thinking we could truly know what was inside the mind of another human being. Perhaps our interpretations of these books were totally incorrect.

We don't understand what a person has gone through or is going through which leads him to write. We can't always discern the intent or the subtle shades of meaning laying underneath the words.

As I continue learning Degel Machaneh Ephraim I strive to understand its words, knowing that my understanding might never be complete.

v'hamaskil yavin...