For you are a holy people to HaShem

(Deuteronomy 7:6)
Av 15, 5776/August 19, 2016

This week's Torah reading, Va'etchanan, contains among its many elements, a veritable treasure trove of exquisite superlatives describing Israel's unique and intimate relationship with G-d . Yes, the same G-d who created the world, who exists beyond time and space, who brought on the flood, who chose Avraham, who delivered Israel from Egypt, brought Israel to Sinai, and betrothed Israel with the eternal covenant of Torah, finds special delight in His people. Israel, indeed, are the apple of G-d's eye. With all their flaws and foibles, and there are many, (some of them also enumerated in this week's Torah reading), G-d loves His people Israel.

This is not a rational love, as Torah is quick to point out: "For you are a holy people to HaShem, your G-d : HaShem your G-d has chosen you to be His treasured people, out of all the peoples upon the face of the earth. Not because you are more numerous than any people did HaShem delight in you and choose you, for you are the least of all the peoples. But because of HaShem's love for you, and because He keeps the oath He swore to your forefathers, HaShem took you out with a strong hand and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt." (Deuteronomy 7:6-8)

G-d chose Israel just because, but who can question 'just because' when it comes to describe G-d's affections? Of all the myriad declarations of G-d's love for Israel expressed in Va'etchanan, none is so expressive of an intimate bond of friendship between G-d and Israel as this: "For what great nation is there that has G-d so near to it, as HaShem our G-d is at all times that we call upon Him?" (ibid 4:7)

This confession of an almost inexpressible nearness is reminiscent of the opening words of Leviticus in which G-d , (unnamed) speaks to Moshe from the Holy of Holies in an inaudible voice that only Moshe can hear. This pronouncement of G-d's tender affection for Moshe is reflected and amplified in the above quote from Va'etchanan, as G-d declares His nearness, not just to His chosen prophet, but to all His people.

But the earliest and definitive declaration by G-d of His desire to rest His presence within whispering distance of His people is found in the commandment "They shall build for Me a Sanctuary and I will dwell among them." (Exodus 25:8) "The great nation" in which G-d delights is the nation which has built for Him a House in their midst, a house toward which all prayers are uttered and to which the entire nation journeys three times a year to celebrate with G-d the festivals of Sukkot, Passover and Shavuot.

So close, so in touch is G-d with His people, and they with Him, that He invites all the nations to join in and celebrate this remarkable friendship between man and G-d :

"I will bring them to My holy mount, and I will cause them to rejoice in My house of prayer, their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be acceptable upon My altar, for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples." (Isaiah 56:7)

-The Temple Institute