Published 9 Sept, 2022

The general response from a Jewish perspective would be a distinct: “No! We are not to define Him.”  It is absolutely impossible and can only lead to desecrating Him. Christianity’s response is totally the opposite. They have brought Him down to a human level.

What is the difference between “knowing God” and “defining God”? Should we know God? Can you know Him without defining Him, even if only to some extent possible? If we are to love Him with all our heart and soul – can we do so when we have no concept of His identity?

Do you really know your wife, your husband – parents, or children? I have been married to my Bride for 65 yrs now. Do I really know her? Does she really know me? Certainly enough to love and stick to each other. The problem I see is that our Jewish Sages have so exalted God that He is presented like a vapour in the sky – incorporeal, no form, (according to Maimonides) – Someone very much “unhuman”, does not talk, walk, and so on Surely that is defining Him also? How can you truly love such a “non-real” Being, having no idea of His true Identity and Being?

What does HaShem say about this? Does He appreciate it? Does He want us to know Him intimately and personally?

Isaiah chapter 40 raises this question: to what image will you compare Him?

v.3  “Hark! one calleth: ‘Clear ye in the wilderness the way of HaShem, make plain in the desert a highway for our God … 5 And the glory of HaShem shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of HaShem hath spoken it … 10 Behold, HaShem GOD will come as a Mighty One, and His arm will rule for Him.”

READ the entire chapter.

In the next chapter Isaiah 41: 8-10, He defines whom He is addressing in the 9 consecutive chapters to 49 on this topic, that is Israel, His nation, the descendants of Avraham, His covenanted People. Then He raises the stunning reality that His People are “blind and deaf and don’t know Him!”

Isaiah 42:19 “Who is blind but My Servant, and deaf like the messenger I send?

Who is blind like the one in covenant with Me, blind like the Servant of HaShem?

20 You have seen many things, but you pay no attention; your ears are open, but you do not listen.”

Isaiah 45:4, 5 “For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I surname you, though you do not know Me.

I am HaShem, and there is no other; besides Me, there is no god. I arm you, though you do not know Me,”

Isaiah 35 assures us that in the End, we shall see His Glory when He comes to redeem His People.

Meanwhile, surely, it can be only beneficial that we should seek Him, and know Him better – even if we cannot define Him exactly.

The problem with restricting or discouraging any defining attempts by His followers seems to be the very reason underlying the current deadlock in the way of the reconciliation of the two divided Houses of Israel – namely, Judah (Judaism) and re-awakening Ephraim (found largely within Christianity). Signs of re-awakening, from within both sides, to this vitally required reconciliation, simply abound these days and are increasing at an accelerating tempo.

The point is that neither side really knows the One True God Who is the Father of both. And, while both sides worship the Creator, in their lack of identifying Him clearly, they are at loggerheads with each other.

A God that hides Himself

To add to the confusion, He is “A God Who hides Himself,” though Creation, in its entirety, screams out His existence!

This is a Problem that His followers need to resolve. Many, though, simply suggest that we wait for Him to do so. This was not His style of operation at any time, bringing His People out of Egypt and into the Promised land. Where they failed, He made them find the Way through their blood, sweat, and tears.

Do the Scriptures define His Being? To a great extent, yes. But, due to the factors mentioned above, and due to clashing with cultural concepts and teachings about His Being, great confusion reigns as Scripture confirms: His Own people do NOT know Him. This topic about His True identity, hidden as it is, therefore has become a topic of great contention, beyond mature, open-minded discussion. Is it possible that unraveling that topic could bring reconciliation between the two opposing sides of Judah and re-awakening Ephraim – the destructive Family Feud in the 12-Tribed Nation of Israel for the last 2750 years now? Perhaps even if both sides can only realize and acknowledge that they are “deaf and blind” as to Whom they are arguing about that they serve? That they are all God’s People? That His Will is for them to reconcile and reunite His 12-Tribed Kingdom through which He shall rule over the Nations in the Shabbat Millennium and beyond?

READ this week’s Haftarah https://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt1054.htm#1  (Isaiah 54:1-10, compare with Jeremiah ch.3) to realize what this Reconciliation means to the God of Israel, Creator of the Universe. Consider also the wise and enlightening advice of Rabbi Yitzchak Zweig in his commentary on Parashat Ki TeiTzei – of how our failing attitude of blunt denial is simply a resistance barrier that obstructs HaShem’s glorious Purpose for mankind. How much longer will we resist His Wishes?

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