We often think of prayer as a one-way street, us reaching out to the Divine. But what if the Divine is also reaching out, also… praying?
The Yalkut Shimoni, a compilation of Midrashic teachings on the Bible, offers a truly remarkable perspective on this. Specifically, Yalkut Shimoni on Nach, section 813, dives into this very concept.
R’ Brachia, a sage quoted in the Yalkut Shimoni, makes a bold statement: "From the beginning of the creation of the world, the Holy One made for Himself a tabernacle in Jerusalem." A tabernacle, or mishkan, is a sacred space, a dwelling place. So, from the very start, God established a place for… Himself.
But why? What does God need a tabernacle for?
According to R’ Brachia, God uses this space to pray. Imagine that for a moment. The Creator of the Universe, the source of all blessing, engaged in prayer. And what is God praying for? "May it be willed that My children will do My will, in order that I not destroy My house and sanctuary."
Think about the weight of that prayer. It's a prayer for us, for humanity, to choose the right path, to live in a way that preserves the sacred connection between us and the Divine. It's a prayer to avert disaster, to prevent the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash, the Holy Temple.
But, tragically, the Temple was destroyed. And according to this teaching, God's prayer shifted. "Since it was destroyed, He prays and says, 'May it be willed that my children repent, that I bring nearer the building of My house.'" Now, God prays for our repentance, for our return, for the rebuilding of the connection that was broken.
This idea is further supported by a verse from Isaiah 56:7: "I will bring them to My holy mount, and I will cause them to rejoice in My house of prayer…" The Yalkut Shimoni points out the specific wording: "My house of prayer," not "their house of prayer." This, the text argues, teaches us that God prays. It's not just about us praying to God; it's about God praying for us.
What does this mean for us? It's a powerful reminder that we are not alone in our struggles. God is invested in our journey, actively praying for our well-being, for our return to wholeness. It’s a comforting, yet also challenging, idea. Knowing that God prays for us places a certain responsibility on our shoulders. It calls us to be worthy of that divine prayer, to strive to live in a way that reflects the values God holds dear: compassion, justice, and love.
So, next time you pray, remember that you are not just reaching out to God. You are also participating in a cosmic conversation, a shared yearning for a better world, a world where God's prayers, and our own, are finally answered.