Faith, Trust, And Jewish Translation: Understanding The Sacred Link

Faith and trust are complex concepts that are central to many religions, including Judaism. In the Jewish faith, the Hebrew word for faith is emunah (אמונה), which is often translated as faith or belief in English. However, the word emunah encompasses more than just intellectual belief; it implies a deep trust, loyalty, and reliance on God. This trust is not passive but calls for action and support for God, as illustrated in the story of Moses in Exodus 17:12. The concept of trust in Judaism goes beyond abstract ideas and is often associated with concrete, sensory experiences. Various Hebrew words, such as chasah (חסה), betach (בטח), yachal (יחלל), and aman (אמן), convey different nuances of trust, each with its own rich meaning and implication for interpreting biblical passages. Exploring the Hebrew language and its translation reveals a deeper understanding of Jewish thought and the complex nature of faith and trust within it.

Emunah: Biblical Faith

In the Torah, the Hebrew word for "faith" is "emunah" (אמונה), which is often translated into English as "faith" or "belief". However, the word "emunah" describes much more than just believing a statement about God. It conveys a sense of trust, reliance, and faithfulness towards God, implying action and behaviour consistent with that stance of trust.

In the Hebraic perspective, faith is not merely a mental exercise of knowing that God exists, but it is an action-oriented word, "support". This is an important distinction because, in the Western concept of faith, the action is placed on the object of faith, such as "faith in God". However, in Hebrew, the word "emunah" places the emphasis on the one who "supports God". It signifies a willingness to act and support God, rather than simply knowing that God will act.

The biblical definition of "emunah" is exemplified in the lives of biblical saints such as Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, and Rahab, as mentioned in Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "hall of heroes". Each of these individuals demonstrated a firm conviction and expectation that God would fulfil all that He had promised. Their faith was not just an intellectual exercise but was manifested in their actions and the way they lived their lives.

The Torah emphasises belief in God rather than beliefs about God. This loyalty to God is expected to be expressed through specific behaviours and obedience to God's will as revealed in the Torah. Judaism, having evolved through a struggle with idolatry, demands loyalty to the one true God, the creator of the universe. This loyalty is demonstrated through speech and, more importantly, through actions.

The Hebrew language, being concrete-oriented, associates the word "trust" with something that can be sensed through one or more of the five senses. There are several Hebrew words that are translated as "trust" in the King James Version of the Bible, each carrying its own nuanced meaning:

• "Chasah" (חסה): Meaning "to lean on someone or something". It conveys the idea of relying on God or others for support when facing challenges.
• "Betach" (בטח): Meaning "to cling". It signifies holding firmly to God as our source of strength and nourishment, even when we cannot see Him.
• "Yachal" (יחלל): Usually translated as "hope", but it conveys a sense of knowing that something will happen in the future. It reflects the certainty of God's protection and strength.
• "Aman" (אמן): Meaning "to be firm". It implies standing firm and unwavering, like tent pegs firmly anchored in the ground, symbolising stability and reliability.

Faith as a mental exercise

In Judaism, faith is not about belief in certain propositions or statements about God, but about trust and reliance on God. This is the meaning of the Hebrew word "emunah", which is often translated as "faith" or "belief". Emunah can be understood as "an innate conviction, a perception of truth that transcends (...) reason".

In the Western concept of faith, the action is placed on the one you have faith in, such as "faith in God". However, the Hebrew word "emunah" places the action on the one who supports God. It is about doing what one can to uphold God, rather than simply knowing that God will act. This understanding of faith as a mental exercise in knowing that God exists and will act is reflected in the Hebrew word for faith, "emunah", which means "support".

In Jewish spiritual life, faith is not the starting point of the journey, and uncertainty is not seen as an obstacle to religious and spiritual growth. Judaism takes doubt seriously and recognises that if Jewish life is to be meaningful, it must meet people where they are, which is often a place of bewilderment, hurt, and skepticism.

Educating oneself about the belief structure of Judaism can enhance one's faith in God. The prayers, songs, and rituals of Judaism bring God's presence into one's life and provide a way to express, live, and strengthen one's faith.

Faith as support

In the Hebrew language, the word for "faith" is "emunah" (אמונה), which is often translated as "faith" or "belief" in English. However, the concept of "emunah" goes beyond just believing in the existence of God; it encompasses the idea of faithfulness and implies action. It signifies a life of full reliance on God and can be understood as "support".

In the Hebraic perspective, faith is not merely a mental exercise of knowing that God exists, but it is about actively supporting God. This is a significant distinction from the Western concept of faith, which often places the emphasis on the expected actions of the object of faith (e.g., "faith in God"). The Hebrew word "emunah" shifts the focus to the individual's actions, emphasizing their role in supporting God.

The story of Moses and the Israelites in Exodus 17:12 illustrates this idea of faith as support. When Moses grew weary and his hands became heavy, Aaron and Hur stepped in to provide physical support by holding up his hands until sunset. This act of support, or "emunah", played a crucial role in sustaining Moses and ensuring the Israelites' victory in the battle.

The concept of "emunah" also extends beyond trust in God; it includes trust in oneself and one's ability to keep promises. In the Hebrew Bible, the word "emunah" is used to describe both humans and God, indicating that faithfulness is a trait expected of both. For example, Habakkuk 2:4 states, "Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God" (Habakkuk 2:4, NLT). Here, the word "faithfulness" translates to "emunah", highlighting the idea of steadfastness and commitment to one's promises.

Additionally, "emunah" is not just an abstract concept but is closely tied to physical actions. It is often translated as "faithfulness," implying that faith without works is incomplete. This is evident in the biblical definition of faith, where what one does is considered more important than what one knows. The saints described in Hebrews 11, such as Noah, Abraham, and Moses, are celebrated for their firm conviction and expectation that God would fulfill His promises. Their faith was reflected in their actions and the way they lived their lives.

In summary, "emunah" in Jewish translation means support. It signifies a deep trust in God, but it also calls for action and faithfulness in one's daily life. "Emunah" is about actively supporting God and living out one's faith through deeds, not just words.

Faith as action

In Judaism, the word for "faith" is "emunah" (אמונה), which is derived from the Hebrew word "aman" (אמנ) meaning "I trust/believe". While it is often translated as "faith" or "trust" in God, emunah can be more accurately described as "an innate conviction, a perception of truth that transcends reason".

In the Hebraic perspective, faith is action-oriented, focusing on what one can do to support God. This is in contrast to the Western concept of faith, which places the emphasis on God acting. For example, in Exodus 17:12, Aaron and Hur physically support Moses by holding up his hands, demonstrating emunah through their actions.

Judaism emphasizes the importance of deeds or actions over beliefs. While belief in God is central to the religion, it is not a prerequisite. Of the 613 commandments in Judaism, none of them require faith. Instead, Judaism focuses on doing what is right, good, and just. This is reflected in the prophet Micah's statement: "...and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love loving mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

The concept of emunah can be enhanced through wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and the study of sacred Jewish writings. It is considered a mitzvah (commandment) to study and understand Jewish law. The study of Torah and observance of its laws and commandments have been central to the practice of Judaism.

Judaism also emphasizes the importance of loyalty and obedience to God. The story of Abraham demonstrates that faith in God means trust and reliance, not just intellectual acquiescence to certain propositions. Abraham's act of righteousness was his demonstration of trust in God's promise of a great reward, despite being childless.

In summary, faith in Judaism is closely tied to action and deed. Emunah is about actively supporting and trusting in God, rather than simply believing in God's existence. This is reflected in the emphasis Judaism places on following God's instructions (Torah) and performing mitzvot (commandments).

Faith as trust

In the Hebrew language, the word for "faith" is "emunah" (אמונה), which is often translated as "faith" or "belief" in English. However, the Hebrew concept of emunah goes beyond just believing in the existence of God; it encompasses the idea of trust, loyalty, and reliance on God. This trust in God is a cornerstone of Judaism, as exemplified in the Torah through the story of Abraham's unwavering trust in God's promises.

In the Western understanding, faith is often viewed as a mental exercise, asserting the existence of a higher power or the expectation of their actions. In contrast, the Hebrew word emunah places the emphasis on the individual's actions, signifying "support" for God. This support is not merely an intellectual exercise but a call to action, reflecting a life of full reliance on God.

The Hebrew language is concrete-oriented, where words are associated with tangible experiences that can be sensed. As such, the concept of "trust" in Hebrew thought is expressed through several words, each with its own nuanced meaning. For example, "chasah" conveys the idea of leaning on someone or something for support, much like leaning on a companion when facing difficulties. Another word, "betach," means "to cling," reflecting the idea of holding firmly to God as our source of strength and nourishment.

The depth of the Hebrew language and its words for "faith" and "trust" reveal a rich tapestry of meanings that shape the Jewish understanding of these concepts. Emunah, or faith, is not just an abstract idea but a call to action and a demonstration of trust and loyalty to God. This trust is not based on intellectual assent to a set of propositions but on a personal relationship with God, which then shapes one's experiences and reality.

Rabbis often teach that our spiritual reliance on God, or bitachon, is not founded on past life experiences but on faith and confidence in God's goodness and involvement in our lives. This trust enables us to face life's challenges and move forward with hope and resilience. The story of Abraham's trust in God, despite his circumstances, is a testament to this enduring faith and trust.

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