We celebrate the big, splashy ones – the parting of the Red Sea, the manna from heaven. But what about the quiet, everyday miracles that keep us going?
The Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Psalms, dives right into this question in its discussion of Psalm 106. "Hallelujah! Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting. Who can speak of the mighty deeds of the Lord, or can proclaim all His praises?" (Psalm 106). It’s a powerful opening, isn’t it? But it also begs the question: how do we even begin to praise something so vast, so all-encompassing?
As Psalm 40:6 puts it, "Many wonders and deeds You have done, O Lord my God; none can compare with You. If I were to proclaim and declare them, they are more than can be numbered." It's overwhelming! We're surrounded by the Divine, constantly being supported, but how often do we really see it?
Rabbi Elazar ben Pedat offers a beautiful insight. He connects Psalm 106 with Psalm 136:4, "'To Him who alone does great wonders, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.' What is written after this? 'To Him who made the great lights, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.'" (Psalm 136:7). What’s the link? Rabbi Elazar argues that providing sustenance – the everyday things we need to survive – is just as miraculous as the dramatic splitting of the Red Sea! Think about it: we can’t live without food, just as we couldn't have survived without those monumental miracles.
He then gives a striking example. Imagine someone lying in bed with a snake nearby. The person gets up, and the snake slithers away. Did they even realize they were in danger? Did they recognize the unseen hand that protected them? So often, God’s wonders are subtle, hidden beneath the surface of our daily lives. Only God, he says, truly knows the extent of the miracles performed for us.
It’s like the parable of the strong man and the weak man. The weak man can’t truly appreciate the strong man's power, because he doesn't comprehend its full extent. But the strong man, understanding his own capabilities, can appreciate his own strength. Similarly, how can we, with our limited understanding, truly grasp the full scope of God’s might?
Rabbi Samuel adds another layer to this idea. He asks, "Who can speak of the Lord's praises like us, who are engaged in Torah study day and night?" Or, in another interpretation, "Who can recount such as we, who are occupied with Torah for all our needs?" Those who dedicate themselves to learning and living by the Torah, are perhaps best equipped to recognize and appreciate God's wonders. By immersing ourselves in Torah, we are opening our eyes to the subtle miracles all around us, the miracles woven into the fabric of existence.
So, the next time you find yourself overwhelmed by the vastness of the Divine, remember the snake that slithered away unseen. Remember the daily sustenance that keeps you alive. And remember the power of Torah to open your eyes to the miracles, both big and small, that surround us every single day. Maybe the key to praising God isn't about listing every grand act, but about recognizing the constant, quiet miracles that fill our lives.