The Jewish Supersite w.w.w. Finite in power, wisdom and longevity, human beings are paltry and insignificant when compared to a supernova or to a galaxy, let alone to the eternal Creator who fashioned those marvels. The same question might also be leveled toward the paradox of standing in the presence of another human being.
None can ever fully know themselves, let alone claim to truly know another person.
The inexpressible depth of one human soul exposed to the unfathomable profundity of another, the encounter of unknown meeting ought to silence the entire universe. It is a marvel that we can reach each other at all. It is a paradox that the finite creatures, humanity, presume to call to God with hope. This week's Torah portion expresses a similar dilemma, contrasting the encounter of two human beings with an encounter with the Holy Infinite One. On his way back to the Land of Israel, Jacob finally re-establishes contact with his brother, Esau.