The Secret Moses Learned: God’s Attributes of Mercy and Love

Moses our teacher, the greatest of humankind, the father of all prophets, about whom it is said: “Never again has there arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses” (Devarim 34:10), spoke with the Creator “face to face” (Bamidbar 12:8). He is described as the faithful servant of God: “My servant Moses, he is trusted in all My house” (ibid. v.7).

At one unique moment, Moses yearned to know, to see, and to grasp the true nature of God’s glory, His attributes, and His governance of the world. He pleaded before the Almighty as a son pleading before his father, saying: "And now, if I have indeed found favor in Your eyes, please show me Your ways, so that I may know You, in order that I may find favor in Your eyes" (Shemot 33:13).

This request, unprecedented in its depth, was met with a divine response: "I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; I will favor whom I will favor, and I will show compassion to whom I will show compassion" (Shemot 33:19).

Then God revealed to Moses His true essence — His Thirteen Attributes of Mercy: "The Lord, the Lord, God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in kindness and truth, extending kindness to thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin, and cleansing."

The Revelation of Pure Mercy

At that chosen time, Moses sought to understand the ultimate truth of God’s governance, and God indeed granted his request. The fact that this was the moment for revelation proves that what was disclosed is a most fundamental principle. What was revealed? That the Divine essence is entirely compassion and mercy.

Indeed, there is also judgment, but only as a means to lead the judged toward mercy and good. Judgment is never for its own sake; it exists solely as a tool to bring about kindness, forgiveness, and eternal benefit.

Thus, the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy are God’s true glory and the foundation of His relationship with creation. God told Moses: If you truly want to know Me, know this — that My ways are mercy alone. The more this truth is understood by humanity, the more they can truly be said to know Him.

Our Father, Our King

God relates to His people by two titles: King and Father. As King: “The Lord reigns, the Lord has reigned, the Lord will reign forever” (Shemot 15:18). As Father: “Is He not your Father who created you, who made you and established you?” (Devarim 32:6). Also: “You are children to the Lord your God” (Devarim 14:1). In our prayers we constantly say: “Our Father, our King…”

It is often easier for people to think of God as a King who is strict, judging, and punishing, and many perceive Him as jealous or vengeful when His honor is violated. Yet it is harder for people to sense God as a loving, merciful Father who cares deeply for His children, who worries for their fate, who shields them both in punishment and in failure — always with the goal of leading them to their true good and to the eternal delight that awaits them.

Since the soul’s real home is not in this physical body but in the eternal world, God allows suffering in this world as a preparation for the higher joy in the next. Like a jeweler protecting a diamond, He would rather strike the outer casing (the body) than allow damage to the priceless jewel within (the soul).

Why People Struggle to See God as Father

Because most people focus only on God as King, they feel distant from Him. It is natural to avoid the authority of kingship, doing only what is required out of fear of punishment. As a result, many serve God primarily out of fear rather than love, and in times of sin or hardship they see Him as a harsh ruler rather than a caring parent.

This leads to despair. People forget that return is always possible. They doubt that God could truly welcome them back with joy. They see only the stern King, not the compassionate Father.

The prophet Yeshayahu (Isaiah) already described this feeling during Israel’s exile: “Zion said: The Lord has abandoned me, the Lord has forgotten me” (Yeshayahu 49:14).

The Truth: God Is Only Good

The divine will is that we know Him as He truly is, and the truth is one: God is only good. There is nothing within Him that is the opposite of good. All is kindness, compassion, and love. Even judgment itself is but a path to mercy.

Our life’s task is to deepen our recognition of Him. As the Torah says: “Know this day, and take it to heart” (Devarim 4:39). The more we know Him through His mercy, the more truly we can say we know Him.