Our sages certainly did. They spoke of a profound connection to the Divine, a longing to dwell in God's presence. And they captured it beautifully in Midrash Tehillim, specifically in Midrash 65.
It starts with a blessing: "Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, blessed is he who is allowed to dwell in your courts." (Psalm 65:5). Think about that for a second. To be chosen. To be brought near. To be welcomed into the very courts of the Divine. What an image! What an aspiration!
This isn't about physical proximity, of course. It's about spiritual closeness. It’s about that feeling of belonging, of being utterly and completely accepted. Of finding a place where your soul feels truly at home.
And what awaits us in those courts? “We will be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holy temple.” (Psalm 65:5). Satisfaction. Not fleeting happiness, but a deep, abiding sense of contentment. A fullness that comes from being nourished by the Divine presence itself. Like a wellspring that never runs dry.
The text continues, "How precious is your chesed, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings." (Psalm 36:8). Chesed (חֶסֶד). It's a Hebrew word that encompasses loving-kindness, grace, and mercy. It’s that unconditional love that God pours out upon us. And under the "shadow of Your wings"? That's an image of protection, of safety, of finding refuge in God's unwavering love. We are enfolded, protected, cherished.
“They shall be abundantly satisfied with the abundance of Your house, and You shall make them drink from the river of Your pleasures." (Psalm 36:9). It speaks of an overflowing abundance. Not just enough, but more than enough. A river of pleasures. This isn't about hedonism, of course. It’s about the joy that comes from connecting with something greater than ourselves, that sense of purpose and meaning that fills our lives with light.
Even the sons of Korah, who experienced such turmoil in their own story, recognized this deep truth. As we find in Psalm 84:11, "For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere." Think about that trade. One single day in God's presence outweighs a thousand days spent chasing worldly pleasures, a thousand days spent lost in the noise and distractions of everyday life.
And finally, a powerful declaration: "Blessed are those who dwell in your house." (Psalm 84:5). It's a sentiment echoed throughout Jewish tradition. That those who make God's presence a constant in their lives are truly blessed. That those who cultivate a connection to the Divine find a source of strength, comfort, and joy that sustains them through even the darkest of times.
So, how do we dwell in God's house? Is it just about going to synagogue? Of course not. It’s about cultivating that sense of connection in our daily lives. Through prayer, through acts of kindness, through seeking out moments of beauty and wonder in the world around us.
It’s about making space in our hearts for the Divine.