Like Hashem Our G-d Whenever We Call to Him

With this understanding, we can also now appreciate why HKB”H did not prevent Moshe from praying his first 515 tefilos. Surely, after the very first supplication, HKB”H could have told him not to continue discussing the matter. He did not do so, because He wanted Moshe to offer those tefilos to shatter all the existing barriers between earth and the Kisei HaKavod. HKB”H wanted Moshe to pave the way for the tefilos of Yisrael to ascend to the heavens.

With immense joy, we can now shed some light on Chazal’s profound elucidation of the passuk: "ואתחנן אל ה' בעת ההיא לאמר." What is meant by the word "לאמר" (saying)? Rabbi Azaryah said: He was telling all future generations to pray in times of distress. Here is an explanation in keeping with our current discussion. We have explained that HKB”H did not prevent Moshe Rabeinu from offering 515 tefilos, the numerical value of the word ואתחנ"ן. Only after he had shattered all of the barriers between the earth and the Kisei HaKavod did HKB”H say to him: “Enough! Do not continue to speak to Me further concerning this matter.” Thus, we learn from this sequence of events that "לאמר" means telling all future generations to pray in times of need, since all the barriers to their tefilos had been removed, and the gates were open to receive their tefilos.

“Like Hashem, our G-d, whenever we call to Him”

This explains beautifully what Moshe Rabeinu said to Yisrael in this week’s parsha (Devarim 4, 7): "כי מי גוי גדול אשר לו אלקים קרובים אליו כה' אלקינו בכל קראנו אליו"—for who is a great nation that has a G-d Who is close to it, as is Hashem, our G-d, whenever we call to Him? In the Talmud Yerushalmi (Berachos 9, 1), Rabbi Simlai explains to his talmidim the unique, close relationship between HKB”H and Yisrael based on this passuk:

HKB”H appears to be far away, yet there is no one closer than Him. As Levi said: From the earth to the (first) heaven is a 500-year journey; from one heaven to the next heaven is a 500-year journey; the thickness of each heaven is a 500-year journey; and so is each and every heaven . . . See how much higher He is than His world! Yet a person enters the synagogue, stands behind a pillar, prays in a whisper, and HKB”H listens to his prayer, as it has states (Shmuel I 1, 13): “Chana was speaking to herself, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard.” Yet, HKB”H listened to her prayer. And so it is with all His creatures, as it states (Tehillim 102, 1): “A prayer of the poor when he wraps himself up.” It is like a man whispering into the ear of his friend and the latter hears. Can you have a G-d who is closer than that, Who is as close to His creatures as a mouth next to an ear?!”

In keeping with our discussion, Moshe Rabeinu wanted to reassure Yisrael and encourage them that whenever a time of distress would arise, they should pray to HKB”H—as we learned from the Midrash above. But seeing as HKB”H did not respond favorably to his supplications, Yisrael were liable to think mistakenly that tefilah is not effective or helpful.

Therefore, to encourage them, Moshe Rabeinu said to them: Look, I have prayed 515 tefilos and have shattered all of the barriers obstructing your tefilos between the earth and the Kisei HaKavod. Hence, I want you to know full-well: “For who is a great nation that has a G-d Who is close to it, as is Hashem, our G-d, whenever we call to Him?!” And as Rabbi Simlai taught: Even though HKB”H sits upon His Kisei HaKavod, a distance of 15 times a journey of 500 years, nevertheless He is as close as a man whispering in his friend’s ear. As such, HKB”H hears all of our tefilos. This was all made possible on account of the 515 tefilos uttered by Moshe Rabeinu.