Hallel: Rosh Chodesh Iyar: Approaching Again: Paragraph One

I sought You,                                                                                                                                              With all my heart I called out to You.                                                                                                      When I sought You,

I discovered You seeking me

(Rabbi Yehudah haLevi, ana emtzo’acha, Shirim Nivcharim)

“Hallelukah!

Praise, you who serve God! Praise the Name of God.

Let the Name of God be blessed from now and forever.

From sunrise to sundown, the Name of God is praised.

God is above all the nations. His Glory is beyond the sky.”

During the month of Iyar, as they travelled to Sinai, the Children of Israel discovered God seeking them. We sing this Hallel, traveling the same spiritual path taken by our ancestors during that first Iyar, seeking God; knowing that our search will help us discover again that He is seeking us. This is our greatest joy and privilege of being among those who serve God.

“God is both far and near. How is this? Rabbi Yehuda bar Simon said: From here to the heavens is a journey of 500 years. We thus see that God is far.”

“How do we know that He is close? A person can stand in prayer, meditating in his heart, and God is close enough to hear his prayer. It is thus written, “You hear prayer, all flesh comes to you (Psalms 65:3).” (Devarim Rabbah 2:6)”

Who is like God, our Lord, Who lives up high, but drops down to see what happens (to us) in the (lower) heaven and earth?

Who lifts up the lowly from the dust, raises the destitute from the garbage dumps to be seated with leaders, the leaders of their people.

Who Makes a home for the childless woman and joy for the mother of children. Hallelukah!”