The prayer Adon Olam is remarkable for many reasons. One is the contrast between its radical theological depth and its popular reduction to “the tallis taking off and getting ready for kiddush lunch song.”

One example of that radical theological depth is found in the very first words: Adon olam, “Eternal Lord.” This might not seem all that radical. G-d is eternal (yawn). So what else is new….? But what this prayer means when it says ‘Eternal” stretches the boundaries of our concept of time. Dr. Marc Brettler, who literally wrote the book on the concept of G-d as king, points out that according to the anonymous author of the prayer,

G-d “was King before all beings were created,” and then was named “King” once they were created, and “when all shall cease to be, He will still be King.”

Summing up, “He was He is He will be King.” And, the cherry on top, “crowned in glory” (b’tifarah) through all of it.

So here are three remarkable things. First, we can nearly wrap our heads around the idea that G-d is our King. But the idea that G-d was and will be King even when there is no one around to recognize G-d as King—that takes us to a new place. Evidently, G-d’s status as King is not necessarily linked to the King having subjects. (Hegel, eat your heart out).

Second, this prayer is not only about G-d’s royal status. G-d’s eternal presence is “crowned in glory.” Contrary to those who say the universe is simply neutral matter, our prayer asserts first that there is a spiritual and aesthetic valence that permeates the universe; and second, that this quality never disappears. It is not a matter of our perception. It’s not simply a value that we impose, but rather something intrinsic to being itself.

Third, at the same time that this prayer expands the transcendence of

G-d way beyond our comprehension, it hammers home the point that

G-d is intimately present in our lives: “He is my G-d, my living Redeemer, my stronghold…, my miracle…” It is that combination of majesty and immanence that is the driving dynamic of Jewish spiritual life. It’s echoed in the Sh’ma, where “Ad-nai” the “One,” ruler of the universe, is simultaneously “Elokainu,” “our G-d.”

So think about that when before you take your tallis off.