Hayom Yom 19 Shvat - To know that there is a Primary Being

מִצְוַת עֲשֵׂה הָרִאשׁוֹנָהThe first positive commandment is,ובִלְשׁוֹן הָרַמְבַּ"ם "לֵידַע שֶׁיֵּשׁ שָׁם מָצוּי רִאשׁוֹן מַמְצִיא כָל נִמְצָא כוaccording to the wording of Rambam, “To know that there is a Primary Being who brings into being all existence…וִידִיעַת דָּבָר זֶה מִצְוַת עֲשֵׂה וּכְמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב אָנֹכִי ה' אֱלוֹקֶיךָKnowing this concept [fulfills] a positive commandment, as it is written, ‘I am G‑d, your L‑rd.’ “הִיא מִצְוַת הַמּוֹחַ וְהַשֵּׂכֶלThis mitzvah centers on the brain and the mind.וְהַיְנוּ דַהֲגַם דְּכָל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל הוּא מַאֲמִין בַּה' בֶּאֱמוּנָה פְּשׁוּטָהAlthough every single Jew believes in G‑d with simple faithוּלְבָבוֹ תָּמִים עִם הand his heart is wholly and artlessly with G‑d,חוֹבַת הַמּוֹחַ וְהַשֵּׂכֶל לְהָבִיא אֱמוּנָה זוֹ בִּידִיעָה וַהֲשָׂגָהthe brain and mind are obligated to bring this faith to the point of knowledge and comprehension."וְזֶהוּ "לֵידַע שֶׁיֵּשׁ שָׁם מָצוּי רִאשׁוֹןThis is what is meant by the obligation “to know that there is a Primary Being.”עֶר זאָל דאָס וִויסעֶן בַּהֲשָׂגָה וַהֲבָנָה דַוְקָאOne must know this in terms of comprehension and understanding,וּכְמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב דַּע אֶת אֱלֹקֵי אָבִיךָ וְעָבְדֵהוּ בְּלֵב שָׁלֵם, וּכְתִיב וְיָדַעְתָּ הַיּוֹם גוas it is written, “Know the G‑d of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly.” It is likewise written, “And you shall know this day… [that G‑d is the L‑rd].”Text and Translation courtesy of Sichos in English