Rosh HaShana (2): Don't Look Away

One of the many ways that we praise Hashem in the Davening of Rosh HaShana is by saying that He is הסובל, ומעלים עין מסוררים. He puts up and hides His eyes from rebels.

The word סובל is difficult exactly to define. It means patient and able to absorb abuse. I'm aware of the abuse, it bothers me, yet I can move on. However, if this is true then the continuation of the positive description of HaKadosh Baruch Hu is a contradiction. ומעלים עין מסוררים means that He doesn't look. He hides His eyes. Hiding one's eyes is a mechanism employed to become shielded from abuse; to remain oblivious of it. "I don't even want to know about it". Once a person is looking the other way then there is no need to be סובל, since he is unaware of what's going on. And if I'm feeling the bother, then that's a sign that I'm not looking away. They can't coexist. If Hashem is סובל then how is He מעלים עין מסוררים too?

עם זו יצרתי תהלתי יספרו - I created this nation so that they may sing My praises. Hashem brought us into being to be proud of us. Everything we do brings Him so much pleasure. Hashem watches us like a Father observes a child, shepping nachas from each and every achievement.

The last thing that He wants to do is look away. He doesn't want to ignore us. In Gan Eden Hashem cursed the snake by telling him that he will eat dust. What's so bad about such a fate? Dust is everywhere and endless! The snake will never go hungry. Rather the curse is that he never has to turn to Hashem to pray for food. The punishment is that the connection is severed. Hashem doesn't want that fate for us. He doesn't want to be ומעלים עין, He disdains having to look away from a Yid. He wants to be deeply involved with our growth. Being ומעלים עין מסוררים is a tremendous pain כביכול for Hashem. When we say that Hashem is  הסובל it is because sometimes He is מעלים עין מסוררים - and that is the greatest of Divine Stresses.

In these days Hashem is extra close, He wants to watch us and be a part of our lives. He desires for us to make Him proud. He yearns to be involved. Let's make that connection.