Chapter IV

After the general request of: "And now, our G-d, hearken to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplications, and let Your countenance shine upon Your desolate Sanctuary for the L-rd's sake," Daniel went on to say:1 "Give ear, my G-d, and hear; open Your eyes and behold our desolate place, and the city upon which Your Name is proclaimed."

According to the Kabbalah2 the term "Your eyes" should be understood to mean one eye,3 as in the verse:4 "The eye of the L-rd is directed towards those who fear Him."

We must understand why sometimes a verse says "The [single] eye of the L-rd is directed towards those who fear Him," while at other times the verse5 reads: "The [two] eyes of the L-rd are directed towards the righteous." The Midrash6 teaches: "When Jews fulfill G-d's will, He looks at them with both eyes, as it is written: 'The eyes of the L-rd are directed toward the righteous.' When, however, they disobey Him, He looks at them with one eye, as it is written: 'The eye of the L-rd is directed toward those who fear Him.' "

Since the singular term is used only when Jews do not fulfill G-d's will, why does Daniel use the term in his prayer?

The Midrash on the Torah portion of Lech Lecha7 comments: " 'The eye of the L-rd is directed toward those who fear Him' refers to Avraham, concerning whom it is written:8 'Now I know that you are a G-d-fearing man.' " This matter too must be understood. Since the expression "The eye of the L-rd ..." refers to a time when Jews do not fulfill G-d's will, how can this allude to Avraham, who is known9 a "dear friend of the King"? The matter is particularly puzzling since the verse quoted by the Midrash refers to Avraham after he had scaled new spiritual heights by successfully passing the 10 tests. As our Sages say:10 "With 10 tests was our father Avraham tested, and he withstood them all."

Yet another concept remains to be understood. Of what significance is it whether G-d looks with one eye or with both? The explanation is as follows: Dovid HaMelech says to G-d:11 "They crush Your people, O L-rd, and oppress Your heritage.... And they say: 'The L-rd does not see, the G-d of Yaakov does not perceive.' " Dovid continues: "Understand, you senseless among the people; you fools, when will you become wise? Shall He who implants the ear not hear? Shall He who forms the eye not see?"

What does Dovid mean by this declaration? Even the most simple-minded person perceives that G-d sees and hears.

Maimonides12 provides the following parable: Before an artisan makes a vessel, he must first envision the object in his mind's eye and heart. This is especially so when he desires the vessel to perform to its maximum potential. He must be aware of all its details, and the purposes the vessel must serve. So too concerning G-d. Were we to say that G-d does not apprehend the powers of sight and sound, how then could He create them?

Inasmuch as the above is understood by even the most ordinary person, what does Dovid mean with his declaration?

In summary: Daniel says: "Give ear, my G-d, and hear; open Your eye and behold." When Jews fulfill G-d's will, the verse states: "The [two] eyes of the L-rd are directed toward the righteous." When they do not, the verse states: "The [single] eye of the L-rd is directed toward those who fear Him." Why then does Daniel use the term (as explained by the Kabbalists) "Your eye," in the singular? The Midrash says that the verse, "The eye of the L-rd..." alludes to Avraham. Dovid says: "Shall He who implants the ear not hear? Shall He who forms the eye not see?"