It asks, how does the Divine, in all its infinite goodness, reconcile with the often-uneven playing field of human experience?
The Soul, in Da'at Tevunot 53, makes a profound statement: "Now I am settled, because certainly the way of general rectification comes from the rule of His goodness may he be blessed, but in any event it was His will to act with us only according to our value and not according to His value."
What does that really mean?
Let's break it down. "General rectification" refers to the Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">tikkun olam, the mending of the world, the idea that we are all partners in perfecting creation. This grand project stems from God's inherent goodness. That's the foundation.
But here's where it gets interesting. The Soul finds solace in the understanding that God chooses to interact with us, not based on His immeasurable, divine value, but according to our human, finite value.
Think about it. If God were to judge us based on His own standard, we would always fall short. It would be an impossible comparison. We are, after all, only human!
Instead, the Divine, in its infinite wisdom, meets us where we are. It considers our limitations, our struggles, our unique circumstances. It's like a parent who understands that a toddler can't run a marathon, and celebrates their first wobbly steps instead.
It's a radically compassionate view of the Divine. It suggests that God isn't some distant, judgmental force, but rather an empathetic partner who understands our inherent limitations and engages with us on our level.
So, what does this mean for us, practically speaking?
Perhaps it means cutting ourselves some slack. Recognizing that we are not perfect, and that's okay. It means focusing on making meaningful progress, even if it's slow and imperfect. Because according to this passage, that effort, made according to our own "value", is what truly matters in the eyes of the Divine.
And maybe, just maybe, that's a more comforting thought than striving for an impossible standard. It's an invitation to embrace our humanity, with all its flaws and imperfections, and to find solace in the knowledge that we are valued, not for who we should be, but for who we are.