Davening to Hashem - What's the point

Question:

1. Why do the מלאכים sing שירה to ה'? If they don’t have בחירה, then what’s so great about their singing?
2. And for us humans, who have בחירה חפשית and therefore davening is much greater - obviously we’ll end up calling out if we get cornered – עד דכדוכה של נפש… What בחירה is found there?
3. Why does He care to hear from us? He made us, He can open our mouths and make our voices come out. What’s the whole point?
4. At the end of יו"כ we say ה' הוא האלקים 7 times, each time sending ה' another realm up. So if he’s so far away, how are we meant to envision He is right here with us?

Answer:

Hello,

1. On one hand, the singing of the malachim is more pure and powerful, and it makes a kiddush Hashem, but on the other hand, you are correct. Hashem wants our tefillos better than those of the biggest malachim! In fact, there is a “piut” that we say on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, which emphasizes this very point: even though we are small and lowly, Hashem still prefers our praises and tefillos!
2. A person who calls out to Hashem when he is stuck is not as virtuous as someone who calls out to Hashem even when things are going well. However, the person is still calling to Hashem, and this calling stems from having a certain level of emuna and bechira (free will), and therefore, Hashem desires it.
3. It is the bechira that Hashem desires, and our calling to Him helps us draw nearer. This is what He wants. Not that He needs it, but He wants to give to us, and He can give us much more when we get close to Him..
4. There are different levels of “hashroas Hashechina” (divine presence); for example, the malachim say, “מלא כל הארץ כבודו,” meaning that His presence is everywhere. We know, however, that the Kodesh Hakodashim has a higher level of shechina, which is why no one is allowed to go inside. During Aseres Yimei Teshuva, especially on Yom Kippur, the shechina comes closer to us, allowing us to connect better to Hashem through davening, etc. Afterward, the shechina partly ascends back to shomayim, which is why we say “ד' הוא האלוקים” seven times as a way to escort the shechina back to the heavens. Additionally, other actions, like davening, can bring down the shechina. The posuk states, “anywhere that you will mention My name I will come and bless you.” Therefore, these two ideas do not contradict each other.

Best wishes