Subscribe
Daily Daf Dose
It is said (Psalms 99:2): HaShem b’tziyon gadol varam hu al kol hamim, (before) Hashem Who is great in Zion and Who is exalted above all peoples. Rabbi Mordechai Bennett explains that the word gadol, great, connotes something that is at a low level and rises to the top, whereas the word ram, high, connotes something that is consistently on high.
The nations of the world erroneously assume that Hashem remains aloof in the heavens and thus He does not supervise the actions of those down below on earth. Rather, this administration is under the jurisdiction of the constellations. For this reason the nations declare that HaShem is exalted above all peoples. The Jewish People, however, are cognizant of the fact that Hashem is in control of every action performed by man, and for this reason the Jewish People declare that Hashem is great in Zion, as Zion refers to HaShem’s Chosen People.
With this interpretation we can understand what is said (Devarim 4:7): For which is a great nation that has a G-d Who is close to it, as is HaShem, our G-d, whenever we call to Him? We refer to HaShem as great, gadol, and He is close to us, thus obviating the need for an intermediary to submit our requests. Rather, we can beseech HaShem directly for all our needs.
This, then, is the explanation of the statement in our Gemora. Wherever you find Hashem’s greatness, there you will find His humility. Where Hashem’s greatness, gedulah, is found, there you will find His humility. Hashem’s greatness is that he resides among us and supervises all our actions.
The nations of the world erroneously assume that Hashem remains aloof in the heavens and thus He does not supervise the actions of those down below on earth. Rather, this administration is under the jurisdiction of the constellations. For this reason the nations declare that HaShem is exalted above all peoples. The Jewish People, however, are cognizant of the fact that Hashem is in control of every action performed by man, and for this reason the Jewish People declare that Hashem is great in Zion, as Zion refers to HaShem’s Chosen People.
With this interpretation we can understand what is said (Devarim 4:7): For which is a great nation that has a G-d Who is close to it, as is HaShem, our G-d, whenever we call to Him? We refer to HaShem as great, gadol, and He is close to us, thus obviating the need for an intermediary to submit our requests. Rather, we can beseech HaShem directly for all our needs.
This, then, is the explanation of the statement in our Gemora. Wherever you find Hashem’s greatness, there you will find His humility. Where Hashem’s greatness, gedulah, is found, there you will find His humility. Hashem’s greatness is that he resides among us and supervises all our actions.
0 comments:
Post a Comment