[Avodah] Hashem your G-d

Micha Berger micha at aishdas.org
Tue Sep 1 12:29:01 PDT 2020


On Tue, Sep 01, 2020 at 09:53:18AM -0400, Zvi Lampel via Avodah wrote:
>> Why does he say "your G-d" instead of "my G-d"?

>  This may happen elsewhere too,

> I think the idea is that some people have hasagos of Hashem that are higher
> than those of lesser people. The lesser person recognizes this, and refers
> to Hashem as perceived by the higher person. This is why we refer to the
> G-d of Avraham, etc...

I would have written something very similar, if RAM's email weren't still
flagged "to do" in my email box when RZL's came in.

However, I wouldn't have used the word "hasagah". I would have talked about
the need to list "E-lokei Avraham", "E-lokai Yitzchaq" and "E-lokai Yaaqov"
separately.

To me, it speaks to the idea that the avos each had distinct relationships
with the Borei. The "G-d of Avraham" was a different relationship than
the G-d Yitzchaq "had" (kevayakhol).

I don't know how RZL meant the word "hasagah", but to me it speaks to knowing
*about* something. As in greater people have greater understandings of what
G-d is.

I would instead has said that "E-lokekha" is about the G-d the kohein has
time to relate to more constantly than the farmer does.

And it might also make the Vidui a statement about the farmer's
relationship with G-d. Rather than who has more relationship, but about
kidn of relationship.

After all, the kohein may be learning, teaching and doing avodah all
day, but the farmer teams up with G-d and relies on G-d to produce his
crop. That's the point of the vidui -- that the G-d of Yetzias Mitzrayim
gets credit for more day-to-day things my success. Something a kohein
may only get more vicariously.

So, he's saying to the kohein, "G-d is not only how you relate to Him
from your ivory tower -- 'Your G-d', realize He also is intimately
involved in my life and everyday life."

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger                 If you're going through hell
http://www.aishdas.org/asp   keep going.
Author: Widen Your Tent                      - Winston Churchill
- https://amzn.to/2JRxnDF

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

PS: Interesting quote my signature generator chose from the perspective
of being this close to the end of 5780. (Although we must remember, we
are likely the first generation for whom life is normally so wonderful,
this year qualified as a notably "bad" one.)

-- 
Micha Berger                 If you're going through hell
http://www.aishdas.org/asp   keep going.
Author: Widen Your Tent                      - Winston Churchill
- https://amzn.to/2JRxnDF


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