Why does it help to recite the Thirteen Attributes

R. Eliyahu Di Vidas (1518-1592) asks: we find many people who recite the attributes and their prayers are not answered. Why is that? He answers that G-d didn't tell Moshe to simply "say" these thirteen attributes, but to do (יעשו) them. We have to behave in a G-dlike manner for these attributes to be effective.

• A similar idea is presented by R. Moshe Alshich (1508-1593) (which is not unusual being that they were contemporaries who lived in the same town).
• Rashi (1040-1105) seems to be of the opinion that one can achieve mercy by simply mentioning the attributes of G-d. However, one can argue that mentioning them will inevitably lead to action.
• R. Yitzchak Blazer (1837-1907) notes that his rebbe, R. Yisrael Salanter (1810-1883) studied the thirteen attributes carefully to deduce new insights into how people should behave towards each other.
• R. Pinchas Horowitz (1731-1805) writes that if one wants to accept the idea that the purpose of the thirteen attribute is to lead to action, one would have to conclude that ה' ה' are not part of the count (like the Vilna Gaon) because one cannot actually strive to be a G-d. The third name of G-d, א-ל can be applied to people as we find that Ya'akov Avinu was called א-ל because he reached שלימות.

The concept of acting in a G-dlike manner

• The Gemara derives from the verse (Shemos 15:2) זה א-לי ואנוהו that we have to emulate G-d. Just as He is רחום, we should also be רחום, just as He is חנון, we should also be חנון.
• The Gemara also derives from the verse (Devarim 13:5) אחרי ה' אלקיכם תלכו, that we should follow the ways of G-d. Just as He clothes the unclothed, visits the sick, comforts mourners, and buries the dead, we should do the same.
• Rambam writes that the idea of emulating G-d is derived from the verse והלכת בדרכיו. He includes being רחום, חנון, קדוש, ישר and many other traits.
• R. Asher Weiss notes that the Gemara highlights two different ways to emulate G-d: through action and through character traits. He explains that that there might be someone who is compassionate and merciful but when it comes to acting upon those traits, comes up short. There might also be someone who performs many charitable deeds but is not a compassionate person. Therefore, the Gemara teaches us that we must emulate G-d, both in our character traits and in our actions.
  • Rambam expresses a similar idea in writing that teshuva must be performed on one's actions and also on flawed character traits.