That’s kind of how it is with understanding God, according to the mystical text Da'at Tevunot.
This passage gets at something really profound: the absolute, all-encompassing nature of God's will. It states that in the end, God's will reigns supreme, without any resistance or obstruction, ever. It’s a complete and total dominion. Now, that’s a pretty powerful statement in itself, isn't it? But it's the next part that really grabs me.
It speaks of God almost…concealing Himself.
It’s as if God veils His very essence, the part of Him that's utterly beyond our grasp or comprehension. Think about that for a moment. The infinite source of everything, deliberately hiding from view. Why?
Well, the text suggests that what we perceive, what we can possibly understand, is just a tiny fraction of God's glory, a mere glimpse revealed through His actions. Think of it like this: we see the ripples on the water, but we can't see the ocean floor that caused them.
Everything that any created being can grasp in this world comes solely from the realm of God's actions. We experience the effects, but the source, the true nature of God, remains largely hidden.
It’s a humbling thought, isn't it?
It suggests that our understanding, no matter how profound we think it is, is always limited. We are always on the outside looking in, trying to piece together the puzzle from the few pieces we've been given.
But perhaps that's the point. Maybe the mystery is part of the divine plan. Maybe the striving to understand, the constant seeking, is what brings us closer, even if we never fully arrive.
So, the next time you find yourself pondering the nature of the divine, remember this: what you grasp is just a sliver of the whole. The vastness remains, inviting us to continue seeking, questioning, and marveling at the mystery of it all. And maybe, just maybe, that's enough.