Hashem wants a relationship with a person because of his very existence, his soul. It has nothing to do with any good points the person has or doesn't have. This is similar to the fact that prior to marriage there are many praises heaped on the bride or groom as far as how wonderful they are. Most of these are irrelevant once the marriage has begun. That is because these are all superficial and once the marriage begins what really matter is how the couple relates to each other, not what other strong points they might have. So, too, in order to have a true relationship with Hashem you do not resort just to superficial behaviors but to directly relating.
Imagine a woman who works hard every day to prepare a good meal. But each day she is distraught because she doesn't do as good a job as other women. She criticizes herself for her failure. Eventually her husband can't stand listening to her daily bitterness and says to her, "I appreciate what you cook every day. But I would rather have raw vegetables and peace. Why must you worry every day about what others have and we don't?"
In the same vein if a person's self-perception is that he is of little value, and he is not someone worthy of others' esteem, and every time he approaches Hashem with what he is, he kvetches that "Here I am. But I am not good and worthy like others," then his words do not bring him into Hashem's favor at a time of intimacy. At that time people want reality, not lamenting about some Utopian dream that is unattainable presently. What is wanted is satisfaction from who the person is, not worrying about what others have.
Imagine a woman who works hard every day to prepare a good meal. But each day she is distraught because she doesn't do as good a job as other women. She criticizes herself for her failure. Eventually her husband can't stand listening to her daily bitterness and says to her, "I appreciate what you cook every day. But I would rather have raw vegetables and peace. Why must you worry every day about what others have and we don't?"
In the same vein if a person's self-perception is that he is of little value, and he is not someone worthy of others' esteem, and every time he approaches Hashem with what he is, he kvetches that "Here I am. But I am not good and worthy like others," then his words do not bring him into Hashem's favor at a time of intimacy. At that time people want reality, not lamenting about some Utopian dream that is unattainable presently. What is wanted is satisfaction from who the person is, not worrying about what others have.
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