Demons… They do exist. There are ways to know they exist, and there are ways to actually see them! Our Gemara today teaches us these ways. Much like in today’s times with the coronavirus, we have a situation of disease existing without our ability to see the actual disease – but we clearly know it to be so, so too with demons.
We might not be able to see them with our physical eyes, but underneath a spiritual microscope, we would indeed be able to see them. Our Gemara continues with some amazing teaches about the dwelling of the Divine Presence, and how it dwells first and foremost in a synagogue – where ten men pray. But even if there are not ten men there, the Divine presence still rests within this holy place and according to Halachah, even if there are not ten men present, it is still better to pray in a synagogue (a shul) than in one’s own home. Of course – we’re talking about when life goes by as normal again – and not during these unusual times of physical distance because of the coronavirus!
But don’t be alarmed – the Divine Presence can also dwell even in as little as three men – where they are involved in adjudicating a Din Torah (a Torah judgment). In fact, the Divine Presence can also be found when there are just two Jews studying Torah together. And if that isn’t good enough – the Divine Presence can be found even when one Jew sits and studies Torah alone? What do we need all these different examples for then – if the Shechina (the Divine Presence) can be found even with one? Our Gemara goes into the details! We start the next discussion of the Gemara. Did you know that God also wears Tefillin? We’ll be learning more about those Tefillin (phylacteries) in our next lesson!
