The second blessing of every Amidah refers to G-d’s power, in particular G-d’s power over life and death. As we have noted previously, the repeated emphasis on G-d as “mechayey hametim,” “Who gives life to the dead,” is obviously striking and in many ways disconcerting; hence, worthy of commentary.
That being said, there is another phrase less dramatic but equally noteworthy. “Mechalkel chayim b’chesed,” “Who sustains the living with lovingkindness.” This is paired with, “mechayey metim b’rachamim rabim,” Who brings the dead to life with great mercy.” The juxtaposition is noteworthy. Sustaining our lives, and bringing us back from the dead, are balanced, as if to imply equal value. Isn’t it remarkable that just helping us live decently is put on a par with bringing the dead back to life?!
How easy it is to forget this. It’s like the song “To life, to life, l’chayim.” It sounded great the first ten thousand times, but then it seemed like background music, and finally as annoying as Muzak. So, too, life itself. There are times we really appreciate it. But then we just drift our way through it; and finally experience times when we are just burdened and annoyed by it. That’s precisely why we need a reminder, 3 times a day, that life, as lived, is a gift from G-d.
Equally significant is the word “mechalkel.” It is related to the Hebrew word for “economics,” and it implies that G-d doesn’t simply lavish everyone with a vast quantity of luxury goods and endless amounts of whatever ones heart desires. G-d “economizes.” G-d makes sure there is enough around for people to live their lives as kindness would dictate.
Now, the world sure doesn’t look that way, with nearly a billion people going hungry and three times that number impacted by climate change. But that’s on us, not on Hashem. In providing us with this planet, and us Jews with Eretz Yisrael, Hashem has done His/Her part. We are responsible for any errors that have crept in. So daven, and then do something.