1)

What are the implications of "Mi Goy Gadol asher lo Elokim Kerovim eilav"?

1.

Targum Yonasan: The nations of the world carry their gods on their shoulders 1 but when they cry out to them, they do not hear - So near, yet so far! Whereas Hashem sits on His Throne faraway in the Heaven, yet He hears our prayers whenever we cry out to Him - So far yet so near!.

2.

Oznayim la'Torah: It implies that Hashem is our Relative - that He is proud to have us aas a nation. 2


2

See Oznayim la'Torah.

2)

What are the connotations of "be'Chol Kor'einu Eilav"?

1.

Rashi (in Divrei Hayamim 1, 16:10): It implies that we should be proud to have such a holy G-d.

2.

Rashbam #1 (7:11, citing Midrash Shochar Tov): It implies that, in spite of the fact that all of Yisrael are pushing Hashem with their prayers, He never becomes overwhelmed by them, but listens to them all. 1

3.

Rashbam #2 (7:11 citing Midrash Shochar Tov): As opposed to the other gods, who appear to be so close but who are really so far, 2 our G-d may appear to be so far away, 3 yet a man goes to the Beis ha'Keneses and whispers a Tefilah, and He listens. 4

4.

Rosh Hashanah, 18a: It teaches us that Hashem always answers the prayers of a Tzibur - even if it entails tearing-up a decree that has been written and sealed.

5.

Oznayim la'Torah: It implies that the more we Daven to Him, the closer he gets. 5


1

See Rashbam.

2

Rashbam: See Yeshayah, 46:7.

3

Yerushalmi B'rachos, 9:1: From the earth to the Heaven is a distacne of five hundred years.

4

See also Torah Temimah, note 11.

5

See Oznayim la'Torah.

3)

Where do we find examples of "be'Chol Kor'einu Eilav"?

1.

Rashbam: In Sh'mos, 2:24 "Vayishma Elokim es Na'akosam", in Beshalach, Sh'mos, 14:10 & 15 "u'Far'oh Hikriv ... Vayitz'aku B'nei Yisrael el Hashem"; "Mah Titz'ak Elai? ... Daber el B'nei Yisrael Veyisa'u!"; by the Manna and by the quails (Beshalach, Sh'mos 15:7-9, 12) and by the water (Beshalach, Sh'mos 17:2 & 7).

4)

Why does the Pasuk begin in the plural - "Elokim Kerovim" - and end in the singular - "be'Chol Kor'einu Eilav"?

1.

Sanhedrin, 38b: The end of the Pasuk is written to answer the Tzedokim, 1 who try to prove from the beginning of the Pasuk that there is more than one G-d (Chas ve'Shalom). 2


1

Sanhedin, Ibid.: And there are many similar cases.

2

See Torah Temimah, note 10.

5)

How will we reconcile "be'Chol Kor'einu Eilav" with the Pasuk in Yeshayah, 55:6 "Dirshu Hashem be'hi'Matz'o" (only when He is available)?

1.

Rosh Hashanah, 18a: The current Pasuk is referring to a Tzibur - see 4:7:1:4 - whereas the Pasuk in Yeshayah is referring to a Yachid.

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