However, the aspect of ‘ַׁהָּדוהְי-Yehuda,’ which is the idea of ‘הוֹדַָּׁאַָּׁהַׁ-humble submission and gratitude,’ this aspect enables the person to actually “lose himself” and become part of the Infinite Light of Hashem that “Encompasses all Worlds.”
When a private person works hard to become a soldier in an army, he “loses” his previous identity as a private individual, and now becomes part of something much greater than himself. Similarly, when a Jew works hard to dedicate himself to Hashem with humility, submission, and total devotion, he “loses” his previous identity as being “just a person” and now is part of Hashem’s “army” and a vital part of how Hashem’s bigger picture is coming to fruition. He represents not just a limited Light that is revealed in the created worlds. He now represents Hashem Himself as He encompasses and transcends all worlds. In that sense, it elevates the person to a much deeper connection to Hashem than through love, fear, or even Torah study.
This aspect is expressed in the Shemona Esrai prayer, when we bow down to Hashem. Bowing down shows complete submission and negation of all ego. This shows on a level of total selfless devotion to Hashem Himself, who Encompasses and Transcends all worlds.
The culmination of the prayer service is to reach Shemona Esrai. After the service of Reuven, Shimon, and Levi in the Shema and its blessings before and after, we can reach the level of ‘יְהוּדָּה-Yehuda,’ which is ‘הו דָּ אָּה-humble submission and gratitude,’ to Hashem in Shemona Esrai.
