Q&A: From the Time You Created Your World, You Became Exceedingly Great
From the Time You Created Your World, You Became Exceedingly Great
Question
In Midrash Tehillim, chapter 104, on the verse, “Lord my God, You have become exceedingly great; You are clothed in majesty and splendor,” it says: “Rabbi Berekhiah said in the name of Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Joshua: What does ‘exceedingly’ mean? Before You created Your world, You were great in the world, and from the time You created Your world, You became exceedingly great (before the prophets praised You, You were great, and once the prophets praised You, You became exceedingly great).” What does this mean?
By the way, what is the significance of a teaching being transmitted in the name of two tanna’im from the same generation—that is, not one person from another person? Are they trying to say here that Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Joshua represent two generally different schools, but on the main point here they were equal? (And if so, one would have to suggest what the broader difference in outlook between the two is, and what is nevertheless central in this exposition despite that.)
Answer
As a rule, I don’t deal with aggadic literature.
It seems to me similar to “Master of the Universe, who reigned before any creature was created,” meaning that He was king without a people—even though the Sages said, “There is no king without a people.” The meaning is that when He has a people, His kingship is greater in a fuller sense (it moves from potential to actuality). As for the prophets’ praise, that is of course simpler, since someone’s greatness does not depend on being praised. Praise perhaps magnifies it further.
Maybe they both said it together. The idea emerged and was clarified through their joint study. There is no need to say that it is rare for them to agree.