Messianic Jewish Emuna: Tevunah – תבונה

“Now, it is known that in Binah itself there are two levels; Binah and Tevunah. The matter of Tevunah is the aspect of the spreading forth of the light of Binah. (Shaar HaYichud, the Holy Rabbi Dov Ber of Lubavitch)

The concept of Tevunah (תבונה ) is an essential element in the life of a believer of Maran Yeshua because it is the only way to spread the good news of redemption throughout the world. The term Binah (בינה ) means understanding or insight, which is obviously in reference to the understanding of Torah and Mashiach. Maran Yeshua gave us a very deep teaching regarding light and how we are to handle this sacred spiritual element.

(Mattityahu/Matthew 5:14-17) “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Likewise, when people light a lamp, they don’t cover it with a bowl but put it on a lamp stand, so that it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they may see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven”.

Maran Yeshua has given us the earliest known teaching of Tevunah that is so simple that even a child can understand. True understanding of the Torah as interpreted by Mashiach, Maran Yeshua can clearly be seen in the fruits of the spirit in the writings of Rabbi Shaul.

(Galatians 5:22) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, self control. Nothing in the Torah stands against such things.”

We as believers in the good news of redemption through our Rabbi Maran Yeshua must internalize this concept of Tevunah and the Binah (understanding) behind it so that we may be true witnesses to the world and spread the light of Maran Yeshua, which is the life of men to the entire world.

(Shaar HaYichud, the Holy Rabbi Dov Ber of Lubavitch) “[This comes about] because [the concept] is grasped very well in the vessel of the comprehension of Binah. Therefore, [through this], it spreads forth to bring it into many matters, which are separate from the essential comprehension [of the concept itself]. [One who is capable of] this is called “a man of Tevunah”, as in [the verse], (Proverbs 20:5) “Deep waters… a man of Tevunah shall draw them out”. The “deep waters” represent the aspect of the depths of Binah which remain concealed in the essential self. It is specifically the “man of Tevunah” who draws it out and brings it forth from its concealment, to bring it to spread forth in many different manners, in order to quench the thirst of the recipients.”

(Mattityahu/Matthew 17:2) “As they watched, he began to change form – his face shone like the sun, and his clothing became as white as light.”

Maran Yeshua is our man of Tevunah because it is only through Him that we have true revelation of the Torah. We as believers must seek true Binah Torah (Torah understanding) without any doctrinal boundaries which will only cover the light on the hill with a bowl. The depths of Binah Torah are endless and through our man of Tevunah whose face shines like the sun, we too can have this Binah and Tevunah that will shine throughout the world as true Jewish believers in Maran Yeshua.

All of us who are heavily burdened with the worries of this world can find comfort with the light yoke of Mashiach which satisfies the spiritual thirst we all have and search endlessly for. We, as believers in Maran Yeshua, with the Ruach HaKodesh inside of us and part of the body of Mashiach, also must draw up these deep waters of Binah Torah (Torah understanding), and quench the thirst of the spiritually thirsty lost sheep in the world.