Since I first began this journey into Judaism and Judaic wisdom, literally within the first few days of deciding to convert, I began thinking of what or who is G-d to me. I kept going over the many concepts and then did the “G-d Shopping,” exercise during the “Taste of Judaism,” course, and well… I haven’t stopped since. My concepts herein are mine and mine alone, my personal beliefs and what formulates my personal relationship with G-d, in regards to Judaism.
To me, G-d is both creator and also creation in itself. G-d can be found within all of its creations, and as creation itself. I find it no coincidence that music, art, writing, and other creative endeavors are often thought to be religious or spiritual experiences. In humans, creativity is an expression of the divine spark within each of us, an outpouring of holiness, and an example of how man is made in the image of G-d.
When we experience something truly creative it elicits emotion, plays on our consciousness, and can even alter perception. How many times have we heard someone say “This is my [insert emotion] song,” or “That piece of art truly stirs me.” Creativity is infinite, in that there are infinite possibilities and ways to utilize the creative spirit in the world (example; Creative ways to get a job done).
I see G-d as within all of its creations, from the animals and waters to plants and humans, I can see the essence of G-d in some way inherent in it all. In the calm of a lake, in the rustling of the trees, in the graceful leaping of a deer, I see the divine at play. From the joyful smile of a child to the sorrowful mourning and tears of someone who has lost a loved one, I see G-d’s image reflected.
In the silence of a darkened room, I hear G-d’s voice making my mind clear and receptive, ready, but unmoving. G-d is above us, below us, within us, and without us; it was here before us and will be here long after.
I see G-d as the all, the one, the singular which encompasses all things. As it says in Isiah Chapter 45;
| 5. I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God: I will strengthen you although you have not known Me. | האֲנִ֚י יְהֹוָה֙ וְאֵ֣ין ע֔וֹד זֽוּלָתִ֖י אֵ֣ין אֱלֹהִ֑ים אֲאַזֶּרְךָ֖ וְלֹ֥א יְדַעְתָּֽנִי: | |
| 6. In order that they know from the shining of the sun and from the west that there is no one besides Me; I am the Lord and there is no other. | ולְמַ֣עַן יֵֽדְע֗וּ מִמִּזְרַח־שֶׁ֙מֶשׁ֙ וּמִמַּ֣עֲרָבָ֔ה כִּי־אֶ֖פֶס בִּלְעָדָ֑י אֲנִ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה וְאֵ֥ין עֽוֹד: | |
| 7. Who forms light and creates darkness, Who makes peace and creates evil; I am the Lord, Who makes all these. | זיוֹצֵ֥ר אוֹר֙ וּבוֹרֵ֣א חֹ֔שֶׁךְ עֹשֶׂ֥ה שָׁל֖וֹם וּב֣וֹרֵא רָ֑ע אֲנִ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה עֹשֶׂ֥ה כָל־אֵֽלֶּה: |
I experience the everyday miracles in the world, the wonderment of all things which surround me, which builds Emuna and strengthens my relationship with Hashem. These things help me to understand G-d more and more, which in turn helps me to reconcile with just how little I actually know. Without G-d there is nothing, without G-d I am Qliphoth, with G-d I am all things, because it is all things.
G-d is love and acceptance, “Love thy neighbor as you love yourself,” from the Torah, or as Hillel wrote in the Talmud “That which is hateful to you, do not unto another: This is the whole Torah. The rest is commentary — [and now] go study.” G-d is peace and he is comfort from the storms of everyday life, he is the redeemer and the hope for a better tomorrow for us all.
G-d is not an invisible old man in the sky passing out judgments and chastizing human beings from a throne!
On the reverse, Hashem is a G-d of Justice and righteousness, who seeks to see us repair the world (Tikkun Olam) and to usher in the age of Moshiac. He desires that we act rather than mere belief and to be a light to all nations. To give and help our world and beings who reside alongside of us (Jew, Gentile, and animal alike). G-d wants us to be good stewards of the earth, caring for it and taking a proactive stance in maintaining the planet.
G-d is everywhere if you look… G-d speaks to us if you’re quiet and listen… and G-d touches us spiritually, mentally, and in some ways physically if you accept it. Walk outside in nature and you will find G-d, touch the trees and you will find G-d, let the breeze comfort and cool you and you will feel G-d, sit quietly amongst the trees and you will hear G-d’s voice. Look up at the blazing sun, providing light and warmth and you will see G-d, sit in the darkness and you will see it.
That is G-d to me…
[Note: I refer to G-d as “it,” because it isn’t male, nor female, it isn’t human, nor can the human mind fully grasp what or who G-d is. I see G-d as both the stern father and nurturing and loving mother to all life and creation.]