What are the implications of "ki Mi Goy Gadol asher lo Elokim Kerovim eilav"?
R. Bachye #1: It hints at the advantage that Yisrael have over the nations, inasmuch as they Daven and are answered immediately ? because they Daven to the upper Power (Havayah) 1 to suppy whichever Midah (Chesed or Rachamim ? ) is needed to answer their Tefilos. 2
R. Bachye #2 (citing Yerushalmi B?rachos 9a: It means that they have a G-d who is close to them with all kinds of closeness. 3
Rsbam (on 7:11, citing Midrash Yelamdeinu): ?Who is lie this nation who knows the Nature of their G-d ? they know what He wants of them and they do it; they know how much He loves them ? .?
Oznayim la'Torah: It implies that Hashem is our Relative - that He is proud to have us as a nation. 4
Targum Yonasan: The nations of the world carry their gods on their shoulders 5 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!
"ki Mi Goy Gadol asher lo Elokim Kerovim eilav". Why does the Torah write ?Goy Gadol? and not ?Goy Kadosh? or ?Goy Tzadik?.
R. Bachye: With reference to 4:7:0.1:1 ? because ?Gadol? is synonymous with Chesed ? which is the first of the Midos. 1
See R. Chavel?s footnotes.
What are the connotations of "be'Chol Kor'einu Eilav"?
Rashi (in Divrei Hayamim 1, 16:10): It implies that we should be proud to have such a holy G-d.
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
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
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.
Oznayim la'Torah: It implies that the more we Daven to Him, the closer he gets. 5
Where do we find examples of "be'Chol Kor'einu Eilav"?
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).
Why does the Pasuk begin in the plural - "Elokim Kerovim" - and end in the singular - "be'Chol Kor'einu Eilav"?
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)?
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.
