The prophet Jeremiah, in the name of God, tells us no. "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom...but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things" (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
Our exploration today takes us into Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Psalms, specifically Psalm 89. This Psalm is attributed to Eitan the Ezrahite—or "Eitan the Citizen," as some translate it. He was known for his wisdom. The Midrash tells us that Eitan, understanding God’s ways, declares, "The mercies of the Lord I will sing forever."
And what's God's response? He basically says, "You get it, Eitan! That’s what I want to hear! If you're going to praise Me, praise Me for that." The Midrash references Hosea 6:6: "For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings." It's not about ritual; it's about understanding and embodying God's attributes.
David echoes this sentiment, recognizing that God desires mercy, and therefore, that's what he will praise. Psalm 62:13 states, "But to You, O Lord, belongs mercy." And it’s not just a little bit of mercy, but an abundance – "those mercies of the Lord," as Isaiah 63:7 puts it.
So, what is the foundation of everything? The sages ask Eitan point-blank: "On what does the world stand?" His answer is profound: "I have said, 'The world will be built on mercy; the heavens will be established through mercy.'"
It's a radical idea, isn't it? That mercy, or rachamim in Hebrew, is not just a nice-to-have, but the very bedrock of existence.
The Midrash goes even further. It's not just the world and the heavens that rely on mercy, but even God's throne itself! Psalm 89:15 proclaims, "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; lovingkindness and truth go before You." Imagine a throne with four legs, one of them about to collapse. What do you do? You prop it up. According to the Midrash, God props up His throne with…mercy!
David, in Psalm 136:5, sings, "To Him who made the heavens with skill, for His mercy endures forever." It's a constant, unwavering force. Psalm 100:5 reminds us, "For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His faithfulness endures to all generations."
The text then shifts to the topic of sustenance, or parnassah in Hebrew. Psalms 145:15 states, "He provides food for all flesh." The Midrash wants us to understand that the challenges of earning a living are as significant as the entire act of creation itself!
Rabbi Elazar makes an even bolder comparison, linking sustenance to redemption: "Just as redemption is miraculous, so too sustenance is miraculous. Just as sustenance is provided every day, so too redemption is provided every day." Rabbi Samuel bar Nahmani even suggests that sustenance is greater than redemption!
The Midrash offers a parable. Imagine a king with treasure houses overflowing with goodness. What does he do with it all? He creates servants, provides for them, and in return, they praise him. Similarly, God created the world and humanity, granting us dominion over all goodness, so that we might praise Him. "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord" (Psalms 150:6).
The passage concludes with a powerful affirmation: "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen" (Psalms 41:14). Rabbi Elazar, quoting Rabbi Yose ben Zimra, unpacks the meaning of "Amen, Amen." It signifies both an oath and acceptance. The double "Amen" is like saying, "Yes, I believe it! Yes, I accept it!" – a concept found in Genesis 45:26. It's an affirmation of faith, a commitment to living a life aligned with God's values, in this world and the world to come. As we see in Nehemiah 8:6, "And all the people answered, 'Amen, Amen,' with lifted hands."
So, what does it all mean for us? Perhaps it's a call to re-evaluate what we value most. Are we chasing wisdom, power, or wealth? Or are we striving to understand and embody God's lovingkindness and mercy in our own lives? Maybe, just maybe, the key to a more stable world, and a more fulfilling life, lies in recognizing and acting upon the power of rachamim.