[Avodah] COVERING EYES FOR SH'MA

[Richard Wolberg]

> I came across the following beautiful explanation as to why we cover our eyes for the Sh'ma: ¹
> 
> The Sanzer Rebbe (cited by R'Asher Weiss, Haggadas Minchas Asher, p. 393) cited this theme in explanation of the common practice of
> covering one's eyes at the beginning of keriyas Shema (see Berachos 13b). In affirming "Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad," we note the singularity and absolute
> unity of HaKadosh Baruch Hu in this world. Although din (strict judgment) and rachamim (paternal compassion) appear as distinct attributes to our imprecise
> perception, these entities are truly one and the same. We thus cover our eyes to represent the fallibility of our limited vision. As we acknowledge the unity of
> HaKadosh Baruch Hu, we will not allow ourselves to be "blinded" by the apparent existence of suffering and travail in this world. 
> 
> ¹ Excerpted from Rabbi Yitz Weiss's Toras Aish, Volume XVIII number 32, Pesach 5771 Article by Rabbi Yonason Sacks from his Torah Web column
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