Dual Hearts in Divine Service

כתיב הללויה אודה ה' בכל לבב.

“It is written: ‘Hallelujah, I will thank the Lord with all my heart.’”

The Sefat Emet begins by noting that “all my heart” implies multiple inner dimensions or inclinations within a person.

הם ב' לבבות לב חכם לימינו זהו בחי' הלל גי' מזוזה בימין שהוא התורה מיוחד ליצר טוב.

“These are two hearts: the wise heart to the right — this is the aspect of Hallel, whose numerical value equals mezuzah on the right, which is the Torah, aligned with the good inclination.”

The right‑side ‘wise heart’ signifies spiritual clarity and alignment with Torah, expressed through praise (Hallel). The Sefat Emet links this to the mezuzah, symbolizing orientation toward holiness.

ולב כסיל לשמאלו זה בחי' הודאה.

“And the foolish heart to the left — this is the aspect of thanksgiving (Hoda’ah).”

The left‑side heart represents the more resistant or confused human side, which can still serve God through gratitude, even if not through pure praise.

מודים מכלל דפליגי.

“‘We give thanks’ implies that there is division.”

The act of giving thanks acknowledges struggle or tension between the two hearts, yet both are ultimately directed toward divine service.

והוא בחי' נר מצוה שהמצות מאירין גם אל הגוף וזהו נר חנוכה שכלי הגוף צריכין לחנכם להימשך אחר הארת הנשמה:

“And this is the aspect of the commandment‑light, for the commandments illuminate even the body; and this is the Hanukkah light, for the bodily faculties require dedication so that they follow the soul’s illumination.”

The Sefat Emet teaches that mitzvot, especially the Hanukkah lights, bring spiritual illumination into the physical realm, refining the body so it can follow the soul’s higher light.

The passage contrasts the two inner ‘hearts,’ associating the right with praise and Torah, and the left with struggle and thanksgiving. Hanukkah emerges as the time when mitzvah‑light sanctifies even the physical self, aligning both hearts toward divine service.