Turns out, that feeling might be older than you think!
Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai, a giant in the world of Jewish mysticism and a figure we often encounter in the Zohar, had a fascinating way of explaining God's relationship with the Jewish people. He tells a story, a mashal, about a king and his only son. This king, he says, would constantly ask his household members about the son: "Did he eat? Did he drink? Did he go to school? Did he come home?" It’s a picture of constant, almost obsessive, care.
Rabbi Shimon then equates this to God's relationship with Moses. Every single day, God would command Moses: "Say to the children of Israel," "Command the children of Israel." It's as if God is constantly checking in, making sure His children, the Israelites, are doing what they need to do. This image, drawn from Vayikra Rabbah, a Midrashic collection on the Book of Leviticus, paints a picture of a God deeply invested in the well-being of His people.
But there's another layer to this, a different angle on the same idea. Rabbi Yehuda bar Simon offers a different mashal, another parable. He speaks of a craftsman creating a crown for the king. Someone passing by asks what he’s doing, and the craftsman replies that he’s making a crown. The passerby then urges him to adorn it with as many gems and pearls as possible, to use emeralds and jewels galore. Why? Because this crown will be placed on the king’s head! It's about reflecting glory back to the source.
Similarly, Rabbi Yehuda bar Simon suggests that God tells Moses: "To whatever extent you can praise Israel, praise; to exalt them and glorify them, glorify." Why? "Because I am destined to be glorified through them," as it says in Isaiah 49:3, "You are My servant, Israel, in whom I glory."
So, what are we to make of these two stories found in Vayikra Rabbah? Are they contradictory? Not at all. They complement each other beautifully. The first mashal emphasizes God's constant care and attention, like a loving parent. The second highlights the idea that the Jewish people, in their actions and their very being, are meant to reflect God's glory back to Him. : we are, in a way, both the beloved child being watched over and the sparkling jewels adorning the crown. It's a powerful image of a relationship built on love, responsibility, and mutual glorification. It's a reminder that we are not just passive recipients of God's grace, but active participants in a divine partnership. So, the next time you feel like someone’s watching over you, or the next time you strive to do something great, remember these stories. Remember that you are part of something much bigger, something ancient and enduring.