Every human being is naturally inclined to believe in God. Hashem has opened the door and given the capacity for everyone to believe in God. Rav Soloveitchik (Abraham’s Journey p.31) expresses the point eloquently: How does one recognize the Almighty? At times, we meet Him on the street. He greets us first: Peace, peace to him that is far off and to him that is near, says the Lord (Yeshayahu 57:19).
The Meshech Hochmah (Shemot 19:17) adds that “the Jewish soul is naturally inclined with an intense desire to fulfill God’s will.” If that is the case, why do some who were raised in observant families and given a reasonable Jewish education choose to discard belief and Torah observance?
I gained insight into disbelief during my annual inspection of the Scarsdale Eruv this summer with Rav Nuriel Klinger, the assistant rabbi of the Young Israel of Scarsdale. We were walking on a busy and loud street and my cell phone rang repeatedly. I failed to hear the ring since the ring of my mobile telephone is subtle and not overwhelming.
Hashem, in Melachim I Perek 19, presents Himself to Eliyahu HaNavi as a “kol demamah dakah,” a subtle and still voice. Hashem tells this to Eliyahu HaNavi after Eliyahu HaNavi had essentially demanded that Hashem reveal Himself in an absolute and indisputable manner at Har HaCarmel, to motivate the Jews of Northern Israel to return to His service. Eliyahu HaNavi even went so far as to blame Hashem for these Jews’ lack of faith, due to His failure to provide sufficient evidence of His presence (Melachim I 18:37).
Hashem responded and proved His existence beyond a shadow of a doubt, and the Northern Jews responded “Hashem Hu HaElokim, Hashem Hu HaElokim.” However, these Jews’ newly acquired faith quickly dissipated (see Malbim to Melachim I 19:2) and Eliyahu HaNavi ran away to Sinai in deep despair. Hashem then encountered Eliyahu and told him that Hashem is not made apparent in fire, earthquake or hurricane. Rather, Hashem appears in a subtle and quiet voice.
Hashem explains that when He appears in an obvious manner that did not involve any effort on the part of people, the impact is fleeting. As the Mishnah (Avot 5:21) teaches, l’fum tza’ara agra, the reward is commensurate with the effort invested. Therefore, Hashem explains to Eliyahu that He interacts with the world in a subtle manner in order to require an effort be made to discover Him. When people invest in this quest for the divine, its impact has the potential to last. Hashem told Eliyahu that the way to bring people closer to God is not by performing overt miracles, but rather training people to appreciate the kol demama dakah of Hashem.
Although parents and teachers may have invested in a student in an effort to teach him to discern and respond to Hashem’s kol demamah dakah, it does not always bear fruit. Sometimes, various noises drown out the kol demamah dakah that do not allow the person to hear it, just as I did not hear my cellular phone’s soft ringtone on a busy Scarsdale street. The noises that drown out the kol demamah dakah may be external negative influences such as a spiritually impoverished environment that is deaf to the call of the Almighty. It might be internal noise pollution overshadowing the subtle and still voice of Hashem. These may include unrestrained passions, desire for (a misleading) independence from the halachic discipline and God, or lingering unresolved psychological tension created by various traumatic situations.
The return of those who have strayed depends only on them. Hashem reaches out but people sometimes ignore Him. However, karov Hashem l’chol kore’av l’chol asher yikra’oohu ve’emet, Hashem is close to those who sincerely reach out to Him (Tehillim 145:18). Hashem will respond to man, but only if man takes the first step. Hashem is good to those who yearn for Him, to the soul that seeks Him (Eichah 3:25). Hashem says to us, “Open for Me an opening as narrow as the eye of the needle and I will open for you gates as wide as the entrances of palaces” (Midrash Rabbah Shir HaShirim 5:2). All the articles and arguments in the world will not convince someone to connect to Hashem and Torah unless he is willing to take the first step and eliminate the noise that creates a barrier between himself and the kol demamah dakah.
A comparison may be made to physical exercise. Those of us who make time to exercise know that once you make the commitment a momentum is created and one will naturally be drawn to exercise and love the experience. Hashem has created us to love exercise due to His concern and love for us. He wants us to take care of our bodies so He made it enjoyable to do so. However, one has to take the first step and make that effort.
Rav Lichtenstein in a beautiful article about his faith writes: The motto I inscribed in my college notebook was David’s plea: Tuv ta’am vada’at lamdeni key b’mitzvotecha he’emanti (Teach me good discernment and knowledge; for I have believed in Your commandments, Tehillim 119:66). Answers, I of course continued—and continue—to seek, and have found many.” Rav Lichtenstein took the first step and constructively dealt with his questions and concerns about Torah.
Everyone else can make the same choice. Everyone can experience and encounter God as did Rav Lichtenstein. But it remains one’s choice to filter out the noise and be receptive to the kol demamah dakah.
Our recital of Selihot during Hodesh Elul is a perfect time for us to filter out the noise and be ready to be receptive to the kol demamah dDakah of Hashem as He enters our lives more intensely during the upcoming Yemei HaRahamim VeHaselichot. I look forward to joining so many of you as we enjoy Selihot during Hodesh Elul!
Rabbi Haim Jachter is the spiritual leader of Congregation Shaarei Orah, the Sephardic Congregation of Teaneck.
By Rabbi Haim Jachter
