I do. And ancient Jewish mystical texts, like the Heikhalot Rabbati, really drive that feeling home. They attempt to describe the indescribable: the majesty and power of God.
The Heikhalot Rabbati asks: "Who is able to state one from a thousand thousands of thousands and a myriad myriads of myriads of Thy mighty deeds, O King of Kings of Kings?" It's a rhetorical question, of course. The answer is: no one. No one can truly capture the infinite greatness of God.
Imagine the celestial beings, the creatures that stand before the divine throne. The text describes them as beings of fire: "they are fire, their palate is fire, their movement is fire, their speech is fire." Yet, even these fiery, powerful beings are filled with awe and trembling. "Yet are they afraid because of fire, lest they be burned in flames of fire." Think about that paradox. Even beings made of fire fear the very thing they are. They understand the overwhelming power of the Divine. It is God whom they encompass, whom they surround, in whose bosom they offer praise.
The text emphasizes the utter unknowability of God. "The eye may not travel to where Thou dwellest, King great and holy, ruler over the highest and over the lowest, over the first and over the last." There is no being, high or low, past or future, that can fully comprehend God's works and wonders. We are, all of us, finite beings grappling with the Infinite.
The passage then introduces a fascinating figure: Metatron. But not just Metatron, but a Metatron known by eight different names. It lists them: Margawiel, Gayothiel, Ziwathiel, ’Izihiel, Yahawiel, Mayoel, Segansagiel, Segansayriyah. Why so many names? Perhaps each name represents a different aspect of this powerful angel, a different facet of his being. Perhaps, as we find in other mystical traditions, different names hold different powers.
And what do the other angels, "the holy ones," call him? "Metatron, Servant of the Lord, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy." Even in his power, Metatron is defined by his service to God and his embodiment of divine attributes like mercy and patience.
It ends with a blessing: "Blessed be thou O Lord, wise in secrets and Lord of hidden things, Amen, Amen, Selah, Selah." A fitting conclusion to a glimpse into the unknowable.
So, what does this all mean? I think it's a reminder of humility. A reminder that our understanding is always limited, that the Divine is always beyond our grasp. But it's also an invitation to awe, to wonder, to recognize the extraordinary power and mystery that surrounds us, even—and especially—in the things we cannot fully understand. Perhaps the journey is not about knowing all the answers, but about being present to the questions.