The ancient rabbis grappled with this feeling too – the feeling of connection, or disconnection, from the Divine. They asked: What does it mean to say God is near? And how can we know God hears us?
Our exploration starts with a verse from Deuteronomy 4:7: “For who is a great nation that has God near it, as is the Lord our God in all of our calling to Him." This verse, so simple on the surface, sparked profound questions in the hearts of the sages, questions that echo even today. Devarim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the book of Deuteronomy, delves into this very idea of God's nearness, and what it demands of us.
The Rabbis ask, in the language of halakha – Jewish law – if someone recites the Shema (the central Jewish prayer declaring God's oneness), can they pause before praying the Amidah, the standing prayer? This might seem like a minor point of procedure, but it opens the door to a much larger idea about the importance of immediacy and intention in our relationship with God.
The Sages teach that certain acts should follow each other immediately. Like placing hands on a sacrifice followed by its slaughter; or redeeming something and immediately following it with prayer. This idea also applies to washing your hands before a meal.
Rabba bar Abbahu explains the reward for this immediacy: someone who washes their hands and immediately says the blessing can be certain that the Accuser (the Satan, or adversary) won’t denounce them during their meal! Similarly, if you recite the Shema and immediately pray, you can be certain that your prayer will be heard. It's all about that unbroken chain of intention.
Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Simon then offers a powerful contrast: idols versus the Holy One, blessed be He. Idols might be physically near – an idolater can craft one and keep it in their house – but they are spiritually distant. As it says in Isaiah 46:7, "Even if one will call to it, it will not answer..."
But the Holy One, blessed be He? Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Simon points out that God is both distant and near. How can that be? Well, the distance from here to heaven is said to be a walking distance of five hundred years! That's pretty distant!
But, he continues, when a person stands and prays, contemplating in their heart, the Holy One, blessed be He, is near, hearing their prayer. As we find in Psalms 65:3, "You, who hear prayer, all flesh comes to You."
David, in his wisdom, even pleads with God on behalf of Israel. He says, "Master of the Universe, when the nations of the world come to pray before You, do not answer them, as they do not come to You wholeheartedly." Ouch. But he continues, explaining that they only turn to God when their idols fail them. David asks God not to answer them then, citing Psalms 18:42: "They cried out, but there was no savior; to the Lord, who did not answer them."
David then contrasts this with Israel's prayers, pleading, "When Israel calls to you, immediately, hear our prayer, as it is stated: ‘When I call, answer me, God of my righteousness’ (Psalms 4:2)."
And the Holy One, blessed be He, responds: "As you live, I will answer you before you call Me!" quoting Isaiah 65:24: "Before they call, I will answer." God emphasizes, "I do not have another nation other than you."
This is all tied back to our opening verse: "For who is a great nation..." It's not about being better than other nations. It's about the unique, intimate relationship between God and Israel, a relationship built on immediacy, intention, and heartfelt prayer.
So, what does this mean for us today? Perhaps it's a reminder to be mindful in our prayers. To connect with intention. To remember that even when we feel distant, God is always near, listening for our call. And maybe, just maybe, answering even before we ask.