Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic commentaries on the Book of Psalms, grapples with this very idea. It explores the tension between God's utter transcendence and the possibility of intimate connection. Take Psalm 21, for instance. It speaks of everlasting blessings, of nations finding blessing in God, and of exulting in joy before Him. Beautiful. But how does that actually happen?
Rabbi Barachiah, quoting Rabbi Samuel, points out a fascinating contradiction. One verse, from Daniel (7:9), describes God as the "Ancient of Days" sitting on a throne, a picture of immense power and distance. "I looked until thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days sat." But another, from Jeremiah (30:21), says, "I will bring him near and he shall approach me." So, which is it? Is God remote and untouchable, or intimately accessible?
The Midrash asks: How do the angels bring souls up to the heavenly barrier, only for the Holy One, blessed be He, to extend His hand and draw them closer? "And I will bring him near," it says. It’s a powerful image, isn't it? A divine embrace, a pulling-in, defying the vastness of the cosmos.
But then the tone shifts. "Your hand shall find all your enemies," the Midrash continues. Rabbi Levi interprets this as God's hand finding enemies "to punish them." Ouch. And then, a rather stark declaration: "You shall set them ablaze like a fiery furnace." The Rabbis add to this fiery imagery, stating that “There is a Hell in the future to come.” Yikes. That's a far cry from gentle embrace.
So, what are we to make of this? This seeming contradiction between divine intimacy and divine judgment? Well, perhaps it's not a contradiction at all. Perhaps the ability to draw close to God also implies a responsibility, a need to align ourselves with divine values. The closeness isn’t a free pass. It’s an invitation to become better.
The Midrash concludes with a verse from Psalms (97:6): "The heavens declare His righteousness." Ultimately, it seems, the possibility of connection rests on the foundation of divine justice. Closeness isn't just about feeling good; it's about striving for righteousness.
It reminds me of the concept of Teshuvah, repentance. We can turn away, stray far from the path, but the possibility of return, of being drawn near again, is always there.
So, the next time you feel distant from the Divine, remember this Midrash. Remember the image of God reaching out, drawing us near. But also remember the call to righteousness, the understanding that true connection requires effort, a commitment to living a life worthy of that embrace. It’s a journey, not a destination. And maybe, just maybe, the point isn't just getting close, but becoming closer.