But have you ever considered how God treats us?
Devarim Rabbah, a collection of homilies on the Book of Deuteronomy, offers a powerful contrast. It says, "That has God near it." If a person has a wealthy relative, they boast about it. But if that relative falls on hard times? Suddenly, they don't know them anymore! They disown them.
But the Holy One, blessed be He, is different. Consider this: Israel was enslaved in Egypt. We were at our lowest point. And what did God do? He declared, "I am their relative."
Where do we find this? In Psalms 148:14: "The children of Israel, the people who are near [kerovo] to Him." Kerovim, literally "near ones," it points to kinship. See, a human might prioritize themselves, pushing the needy relative into the background. "So-and-so seeks to be close to me," they might say, emphasizing the power imbalance.
But God? He does the opposite. The text doesn't say, "who has a nation that is near," but rather, "that has God near it." He places us first. It's a radical idea, isn't it?
Rabbi Ḥama bar Rabbi Ḥanina takes it even further. "Which is the nation that is exalted by its gods like this nation?" he asks. Think about it. Nations go to war, unsure of the outcome. Victory is never guaranteed. But Israel? We certainly win, because as it says: "For who is a great nation [that has God near it]."
God's nearness isn’t just about physical proximity. It's about unwavering support, especially when we're vulnerable. It's about kinship that transcends circumstances. It's about a relationship where God doesn’t just stand by us, but with us, always.
So, the next time you think about your own relationships, or your relationship with the Divine, remember this: Whose relative are you? And more importantly, whose relative is God? Perhaps the answer to that question holds the key to understanding the true nature of compassion and unwavering love.