Being Truly Present To G-d And People

We can learn from Jacob’s encounter with Esau to meet others as we would meet G-d.

BY RABBI DR. BRADLEY SHAVIT ARTSON

Religious thinkers throughout the ages have pondered the question, “How do people have the audacity to stand in the presence of God?” Finite in power, wisdom and longevity, human beings are paltry and insignificant when compared to a supernova or to a galaxy, let alone to the eternal Creator who fashioned those marvels. How, then, do we have the temerity to place ourselves before God, to address God, and to argue with God?

The same question might also be leveled toward the paradox of standing in the presence of another human being.  Each of us is a universe in miniature — replete with our own depths and eddies, our hidden doubts and fears and talents.  None can ever fully know themselves, let alone claim to truly know another person.  So how do we summon the nerve to  address each other with intimacy and familiarity?

The inexpressible depth of one human soul exposed to the unfathomable profundity of another, the encounter of unknown meeting ought to silence the entire universe.  It is a marvel that we can reach each other at all.  It is a paradox that the finite creatures, humanity, presume to call to God with hope.

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