And when it comes to the divine, the question of watchfulness, of attentiveness, becomes even more profound.
The ancient text Sifrei Devarim, a commentary on the Book of Deuteronomy, wrestles with just this idea. It’s looking at verses that speak of God’s watchful eye, and it asks a pretty fundamental question: Is God’s attention focused solely on Israel? Or is it universal?
Take Psalm 121:4: "Behold, He neither slumbers nor sleeps, the Watcher of Israel.” Seems pretty specific, right? But Sifrei Devarim doesn’t let it rest there. Doesn’t God watch over everyone? Job 12:10 tells us, "In His hand is the soul of every living thing and the spirit of all the flesh of man." So, what’s the deal with singling out Israel?
Here’s where it gets interesting. Sifrei Devarim suggests that God does watch over everyone, but the verse about Israel isn’t wrong. It's as if God is watching only over Israel. And it's because of this intense focus on Israel that He can watch over everyone else as well. It’s a fascinating idea, isn't it? Like focusing a lens to bring everything into sharper clarity.
The text then uses another example. I Kings 9:3 states, "And My eyes and My heart shall be there (in the Temple) all of the days." Now, we know God is everywhere. Zechariah 4:10 says, "They are the eyes of the L-rd, which range over all the world," and Proverbs 15:3 adds, "In every place, the eyes of the L-rd look upon the evil and the good." So, why the special mention of the Temple?
Again, Sifrei Devarim offers a compelling explanation. It's not that God’s presence is only in the Temple, but rather, it’s as if it’s only there. And because it's so intensely present there, it radiates outwards, encompassing everything. The Temple becomes a focal point, a concentrated source of divine attention that then extends to the entire world.
What are we to make of this? It seems Sifrei Devarim is teaching us about the nature of divine attention. It's not about choosing favorites, but about a concentrated, almost laser-like focus on one thing that allows for a broader, more encompassing awareness. It’s about the power of a central point, a makom kadosh, a holy place, from which blessing and awareness can radiate outwards.
Think about it. Maybe it’s not just about God's watchfulness. Maybe it's a model for how we, too, can be more present in the world. By focusing our attention, by dedicating ourselves fully to a specific task or relationship, we can actually expand our capacity for compassion and understanding. Maybe by focusing intensely on one thing, we can better see and appreciate everything else. A profound thought, isn't it?