God is Difficult

God is difficult. Our tradition declares that God’s face cannot be seen and God’s name cannot be pronounced. And yet, the very core of Jewish faith is that we are somehow in relationship—neigh, partners—with this un-seeable, un-addressable God.

I believe in a God of creation. I resonate with the Psalmist when he sings: “mah adir shimcha b’chol ha-aretz / How majestic is Your name throughout the earth…when I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and stars that You set in place.” This is the aspect of God that Rami Shapiro describes as “the Source and Substance of All Creation.” I and you and this table contain within us the history of the universe.

And yet, I resonate with the Psalmist when, in the very next verse, she asks: “What is a human life that You should be mindful of it?” It seems to me that the Source and Substance of All Creation is in fact not mindful of human life. “Love is stronger than death,” Shir HaShirim declares; and yet, I see that death is more certain than love. The Judge of all the earth, Who executes the death sentence daily, should be held accountable for workplace negligence.

My faith is sustained only by a healthy dose of doubt: “When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers…what is a human life that You should be mindful of it?” You whose face cannot be seen, You whose name cannot be pronounced—I find you very difficult.