Break Your Am Haeretz

Last year this blog pointed out that we find that some times the word ידע can mean to break as in Shoftim (8:16) וַיֹּ֣דַע בָּהֶ֔ם אֵ֖ת אַנְשֵׁ֥י סֻכּֽוֹת and the Targum and Rashi say it means ותבר בהון.  The possuk (recited in Hoshanos) and in the davening for those that pray Sephard/ Adut Hamizrach on a daily basis says  למען דעת כל עמי הארץ כי ה' הוא האלקים אין עוד (Kings I:60:8.)  In light of the previous meaning of the word the Rebbe Rashab explains as the way to break the עם הארץ is by combining 'ה with אלקים.  The עם הארץ is the part of us that is disconnected from Hashem.  It views the world as under אלקים (the numerical value of הטבע.)  When that is connected to 'ה, the name above nature, then the power of the עם הארץ is broken.