The Power of Your Face

H 

ashem appeared to us at Har Sinai. His Presence was so overwhelming, we lost consciousness; we were unable to withstand Its force. Hashem’s word was impressive as well, but didn’t cause us to die.

Obviously, there is a world of difference between “presence” and “communication.” Now, with social distancing in place, we feel this difference daily. At home with family members, we experience their full presence. While in some cases this is too much of a good thing, in general, the normal comfort of being with a human being is still comforting.

Communicating on a verbal or video platform is certainly a form of communication, but in both cases “presence” is significantly reduced. The experience of being with a person is notably compromised. Hearing, or even seeing people, is not at all the same as sitting in their presence.

What Is Presence?

As it turns out, “presence” has much more to do with facial energy and communication than anything else. Imagine sitting with a person who is wearing a large opaque paper bag over his head. We can hear him speak and we can see his body, but we can’t see his face. Do we feel his “presence?” Not much. We need his eyes, his mouth, his skin color, and more.