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A Vulnerable G-d?

The Theology of Needing and Being Needed

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A Vulnerable G-d?: The Theology of Needing and Being Needed

Does G-d love us or does He need us? Does He care whether or not we do mitzvot? Is being vulnerable a weakness? Rabbi Friedman tackles these questions and more as he describes the Jewish view of an omnipotent G-d who asks us to serve Him.

Topics:

Religion; Religious Ritual, Love, G-d and Man, G-d

By Manis Friedman

Rabbi Manis Friedman, a noted Chassidic philosopher, author and lecturer, is dean of Bais Chana Women's Institute of Jewish Studies.

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9 Comments

Sadegh lahooti CA, USA March 18, 2025

Thank you for sharing. Reply

Boruch Merkur Toronto February 4, 2019

Does no one have the same issues I have with this? Yes I find it very compelling, but there are statements that need ellaboration. My main question is if there is a source for saying "sometimes G-d hates us." It seems to run contrary to Chassidus, starting with the BST. (as well as explicit verses and maamarei Chazal) Reply

Boruch Merkur February 11, 2019

in response to Boruch Merkur:

Ok to update: I spoke to R' Friedman's office about timestamp 31:49 on this video, where Rabbi says, "G-d created us knowing there would be times that He will love us, there will be times that He will hate us." The response I received was that he "stands behind everything that is said on the video." G-d never hates any Jew ever. To suggest otherwise is contrary to the Torah. See where this topic is address in Likkutei Sichos 34 pg. 17 - 23, esp. on page 23, where it says, "Even in the state of "bein ha'meitzarim," which comes about as a result of a lack in the avoda of the Jewish people ... to the point that they conceive light as darkness, etc. - even in this condition, Rashi testifies that "He loved you," that there is no weakening at all in G-d's love for the Jewish people." Reply

Yisrael St. louis October 7, 2024

in response to Boruch Merkur:

R. Yehoshua Simmons is correct. Sometimes G-D does indeed feel hate towards us, but it’s passing. But concerning the Northern Kingdom of Israel, or Ephraim” G-D said this about them:”All their evil is in Gilgal, for there I hated them; for the evil of their deeds, I will drive them from My house; I will not continue to love them, all their princes are rebellious.” Hoshea 9:15

There are times when G-D feels hate, and hate isn’t the opposite of love, that would be apathy. Hate can be seen as an expression of hurt of betrayal by someone who you trusted Reply

Michoel Shapiro February 12, 2024

in response to Boruch Merkur:

See second paragraph of the Shema: "... For then the L-rd's wrath will flare up against you..."

Of course, there are layers to the meaning of this verse. But on it's face value , this is likely what Rabbi Rabbi Friedman refers to at 31:49.

I hope this is helpful. Reply

Rabbi Yehoshua Simons Manchester, UK February 13, 2024

in response to Boruch Merkur:

Rabbi Friedman has 2000+ videos, many an hour long. I've listened to most of them. I can tell you he elaborates elsewhere the chassidic teachings that there is a difference between what you mean by hate and what he means. I would say that you will likely understand it this way: When R Manis said that Hashem needs us, many of us know that concept as "love". We know that really love does mean 2 things. Either the actual emotional feeling of love, or the sense of need, which goes above emotion and is more akin to home, belonging, oneness. So in that sense, Hashem ALWAYS loves us, and NEVER hates us. In the sense of actual emotions, yes, sometimes He feels loving towards us, and sometimes He feels hateful towards us. It's just a passing emotion, in response to what we've done, and takes place in Mimale, i.e. in expression, not Essence. Reply

Amerelle April 18, 2016

Thank you for this insight! Reply

Anonymous September 12, 2015

This is an unbelievable teaching! Thanks so much dear Rabbi.
In minute 10 of this teaching is exact told the reason why I left christianity after 44 years teaching it! Reply

Madhavi Marathe culver city, ca December 29, 2013

Rabbi Friedman,
I am so very thankful to you. I had no idea who exactly God was. Till now my assumption of who God is was incorrect and logically is was not making sense to me. You have steered me in the right direction in understanding God and his nature. Till now the hakma and the bina were there but the das was missing in my connection to God.
Thankyou
Madhavi Marathe Reply

A Vulnerable G-d?: The Theology of Needing and Being Needed

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