Similarly, (Psalms 50 — 7-8) "Hear, My people, and I will

Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Mekhilta Tractate Kaspa 4:17

Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team · Published January 1, 2025

The Mekhilta cites (Psalms 50:7-8) to illustrate God's unique relationship with Israel: "Hear, My people, and I will speak; Israel, and I will exhort you. I am God, your God. I will not rebuke you for remissness in your sacrifices, and because your burnt-offerings are not constantly before Me."

God addresses Israel with extraordinary intimacy. "My people" — not merely "a people" or "the people," but "My people." The possessive pronoun establishes ownership and affection. God claims Israel as His own.

The psalm continues with a remarkable declaration: "I am God to all who enter the world." God is the God of every creature, every nation, every person on earth. Yet despite being the universal God, He has "unified His name only with My people, Israel." His name — His identity, His intimate self-revelation — is attached uniquely to one nation.

This teaching navigates a delicate theological balance. God is universal in His sovereignty but particular in His intimacy. He rules all nations but has a covenantal relationship with only one. The Mekhilta does not deny God's universal dominion — it affirms it. But it insists that the quality of God's relationship with Israel is categorically different from His relationship with everyone else. Universal power, particular love. All nations are under His authority; only Israel is under His name.

Themes

Temple Charity Holy Land

Biblical References

Psalms 50:7-8

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