In Parshat Vayelech, Hashem tells Moshe that after his death, Bnei Yisrael will turn to other gods, and as a result, He will “hide His face.” At first glance, it sounds like a punishment. But really, it’s a natural consequence.

Hashem is everywhere. In every blade of grass, in every detail of the human body, in every moment of our lives—His presence surrounds us. But when we stop looking for Him, we stop seeing Him. That’s hester panim.

We’ve seen this before. When Moshe ascended Har Sinai, the people panicked. They didn’t want to worship idols; they wanted a way to feel connected to Hashem. Without Moshe present, they turned to the Golden Calf as an “intermediary.” Now, as Moshe’s life draws to a close, Hashem warns that the people will once again seek connection in the wrong places.

It happens even today. We speak about “my job,” “my clients,” “the doctor,” or “that guru” as if they are the true source of our success, our health, or our guidance. But the Navi in this week’s haftara tells us:
“K’chu imachem devarim v’shuvu el Hashem” — “Take with you words and return to Hashem.”

Words matter. The more we replace Hashem’s name with other words, the more hidden He becomes from us. But when we bring Hashem back into our language, we bring Him back into our lives.

That’s why Moshe, on his final day, put everything in place. He wrote down the Torah and gave it to the kohanim, placed it next to the Aron, and commanded the mitzvah of Hakhel — that once every seven years, all of Am Yisrael would gather to hear the Torah read aloud. His message was clear: The Torah is your direct connection to Hashem. You don’t need intermediaries. You don’t need to chase wisdom elsewhere. The Torah said it first, the Torah said it best, and everything comes from the Torah.

When we search for answers outside of Hashem, He becomes hidden. But when we choose to speak His name, to look for Him everywhere, He becomes revealed.

And now, during the Aseret Yemei Teshuva, Hashem is closer than ever. He is waiting for us to lift the veil, to say out loud: “This is Hashem.”

The more we look for Him, the more we will find Him. And when we do, the hester panim will turn into gilui panim — Hashem’s face revealed, His presence felt in every moment of our lives.

So start now. Choose your words carefully. Instead of saying “I got lucky” or “the doctor healed me,” say “Hashem took care of me.” Every word of bitachon pulls back the curtain and reveals His hand in your life.