But who – or what – is on the receiving end?
It's a question that’s clearly bothered people for centuries.
I recently stumbled across a fascinating snippet of text – a question, really – posed by someone clearly wrestling with this very idea. It's framed as a query to a disciple, seeking guidance on the true essence of worship. It's a bit flowery, but the core of the question is remarkably direct: "To inform us about the essence of the worship and prayer that we engage in towards the One to whom it belongs."
Think about that for a moment. To whom does our worship belong?
The questioner goes on, asking if our prayers somehow “elevate the highest of heights, or the emanation from which emanates.” This is where things get a little more mystical. They're hinting at the complex Kabbalistic idea of Sefirot, the ten attributes or emanations through which the Divine reveals itself. Are we, in our prayers, somehow affecting these celestial realms?
The text name-drops David, peace be upon him, referencing his journey to the Holy Land. It suggests that his journey, undertaken with true faith, holds some kind of key. The questioner then cites two books, “Mitzaref HaEmunah” and “Eheyeh Asher Eheyeh,” as further sources of wisdom on this topic. Sadly, I haven't been able to track down those specific works to shed more light on them—they may be lost or obscure.
But the heart of the matter remains: How do we understand the object of our worship?
The questioner phrases it beautifully: “…that one who serves the Infinite serves the true God and the God of justice, so that we may know whom we shall worship and receive your response swiftly, my Lord.”
They're yearning for clarity. They want to know that their devotion is directed towards something real, something just, something that hears them. They are searching for the true essence of the Divine.
It’s a question that resonates across the ages. Whether you're deeply versed in Kabbalah or simply trying to make sense of your own spiritual life, the search for connection, the desire to understand the "who" behind our prayers, is something deeply human.
So, who do we worship? Is it the Ein Sof, the Infinite, unknowable God beyond all comprehension? Is it one of the Sefirot, a particular aspect of the Divine? Is it simply the concept of justice itself?
Perhaps the answer lies not in a definitive "who," but in the intention behind our prayers. Maybe the act of reaching out, of seeking connection with something greater than ourselves, is what truly matters.
What do you think?