The text discusses the importance of arms and hands in articulating actions and providing strength, drawing a comparison to divine influence expressed through arms and hands in scripture. It highlights the necessity of hands and arms in conveying emotions and assisting in physical activities like walking and balancing. The text also notes the duality of human limbs and how they help us maintain balance, similarly to how tightrope walkers use tools for stability.
Human Limbs.
It has been said that, just as most of the general
population of breadwinners must pass through life,
we can rightly say, as the hands go, so do the teeth. All the significant
actions that are truly called actions
are done by the arms and hands,
and one's power mostly resides in them. Likewise,
even God, to aid our understanding,
expresses His deeds and offers His help,
commonly through His arm and hand; especially
through His right hand. It is noteworthy that in these expressions,
it is mostly spoken of in the singular.
And just as humans commonly have double arms and hands,
so this might well have been observed in the Holy Scripture,
to remind us that we should not ascribe human limbs
to the Almighty, although He speaks
in a way comparable to the way we do. Yet when
creation and formation were discussed, it was generally
done in the dual form, as examples in the Psalms and elsewhere can testify.
The arms and hands are often used to express
thoughts and intentions quietly through gestures;
as we are obliged to demonstrate through a detailed
consideration of actions. The hands also help along with the arms
to keep balance while walking and
particularly while running; just as
tightrope walkers commonly use a stick for balance;
although we can often achieve it
by using our arms alone.