The Lord Of Hosts

Rabbi Yohanan said in the name of Rabbi Yose: From where is it derived that the Holy One, blessed be He, prays? As it is said: "And I will bring them to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer" (Isaiah 56:7). It does not say "their prayer," but rather "My prayer." From here it is derived that the Holy One, blessed be He, prays. What does He pray? Rav Zutra bar Toviyya said that Rav said: "May it be My will that My mercy subdue My anger, and that My mercy prevail over My other attributes, and that I conduct Myself with My children with the attribute of mercy, and that I enter for them within the line of strict justice." It was taught: Rabbi Yishmael ben Elisha said: One time I entered to offer up incense in the innermost sanctum, and I saw Akhtariel Yah, the LORD of Hosts, who was sitting upon a high and exalted throne, and He said to me: "Yishmael My son, bless Me!" I said to Him: "May it be Your will that Your mercy subdue Your anger, and that Your mercy prevail over Your other attributes, and that You conduct Yourself with Your children with the attribute of mercy, and that You enter for them within the line of strict justice." And He nodded to me with His head. And this teaches us that the blessing of a common person should not be light in your eyes.