Hashem told Moshe He could not remain in the midst of Klal Yisrael because they were an “am k’shei oref, a stiff-necked people.” Rashi explains this to mean they turned the back of their necks to those who would rebuke them. (Yes, sadly it’s a tale as old as time...)
It seems strange then, that in his prayers, Moshe would ask that Hashem walk in our midst, “because they are an “am k’shei oref.”” Why would Moshe use the very thing Hashem criticized us about as part of a request for mercy from Him? Additionally, in that request, Moshe used the name of adnus, Mastery, which incorporates an element of Divine Judgment.
The Ohr HaChaim explains an amazing concept. Previously, Moshe had requested pure mercy from Hashem. Now, however, after his revelation of G-d’s attributes and Divine glory (as he had requested, “Show me please, Your ways,”) he realized that if the Jewish People only experienced Divine Mercy, they would kick off any connection to Hashem and leave His path. This would be disastrous and lead to our true, utter destruction.
He therefore prayed now that Hashem display both mercy and judgment, in order to keep us in line. The combination of these two attributes exceeds the benefits of either one by itself. It was necessary because we are this stiff-necked people, as Hashem said.
One benefit of this stubbornness, however, is that we can also turn the back of our necks to our detractors who would stop us from serving Hashem. We can ignore their scoffing and insults and do the right thing.
The times we live in now are frightening yet comforting. On one hand, we see terror and murder, the nations of the world ganging up on us and wishing to harm us. On the other hand, we see the miraculous mercy of Hashem in protecting us.
This is the balance Moshe spoke of. Both of these things should cause us to return to Hashem with all our hearts, and then He can return to us, with the building of the Bais HaMikdash. Surely, Hashem’s intentions now are to bring us all home.
