בס”ד
Why Being Low is Sometimes Better than Being High
In the Talmud (Berachot 10b), there’s an interesting teaching:
“Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Ḥanina, said in the name of Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya’akov: A person should not stand in a high place and pray; rather, he should stand in a low place and pray,.”
That might sound strange. Why would it matter where you stand when you pray? But it’s not just about the place—it’s about the attitude of your heart.
Why Not a High Place?
Rav Kook (Ein Aya on Berachot 10, §152) explains:
When you stand high, sometimes you also feel high inside—like you have everything under control. That might feel good, but then you easily forget your faults. And those faults are exactly what matter in prayer.
The Bible says in Psalm 130:1:
| 1 Out of the depths have I called Thee, O L-rd. | מִמַּעֲמַקִּים קְרָאתִיךָ ד’.א |
and in Isaiah 57:15
| 15 For thus saith the High and Lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. | טו כִּי כֹה אָמַר רָם וְנִשָּׂא, שֹׁכֵן עַד וְקָדוֹשׁ שְׁמוֹ–מָרוֹם וְקָדוֹשׁ, אֶשְׁכּוֹן; וְאֶת-דַּכָּא, וּשְׁפַל-רוּחַ, לְהַחֲיוֹת רוּחַ שְׁפָלִים, וּלְהַחֲיוֹת לֵב נִדְכָּאִים. |
But what does the Bible mean by “depths”? There are actually two kinds of depth.
Two Kinds of ‘Deep’
The first kind of “deep” is being in a low place—feeling broken, like you’re in a pit. That’s the “depth” of Psalm 130:1. When you’re truly distressed, when you have no illusions of control, that’s when your heart opens in prayer.
The second kind of “deep” is da’at—deep understanding or wisdom.
Sometimes people want to feel “deep” — for example, through beautiful music, spiritual words, or intense feelings. This can feel like being “high,” like floating in the clouds. You forget your problems, your worries—all seems good.
But… that feeling fades away. You’re left with the same questions, the same mistakes, the same emptiness.
This kind of “deep” is more emotional than intellectual—it lifts you up, but doesn’t change you.
Feeling without understanding only makes you feel light for a moment—not truly free.
True da’at, true depth of understanding, brings you closer to G-d not through escape, but through clarity. You see where you fall short. You feel small—not because you’re sad, but because you know you need help. That opens your heart.
So both types of depth—brokenness and wisdom—can bring a person close to G-d.
One comes from the heart; the other from the mind. Both come from being honest.
Not fluffy or dreamy — but honest.
Not running away from your problems — but coming to G-d with them.
This is not limited to a specific people or group. Anyone who follows the Seven Laws of Noah—without tradition, titles, or rituals—can reach G-d in this way. You don’t need perfect words. You don’t need to be high. You need only to be true. G-d listens not to status, but to sincerity. A prayer spoken in your own words, from your own heart, carries weight.
As Isaiah says, G-d dwells with the contrite and humble. Whether through brokenness or through understanding, the door to Him is open.
Idols on the Mountain
In the Bible, idol worshipers often placed their altars on high hills and mountains. They thought: up there, we’re closer to the G-ds. But the L-rd says through Ezekiel 6:13:
| 13 And ye shall know that I am the L-rd, when their slain men shall be among their idols round about their altars, upon every high hill, in all the tops of the mountains, and under every leafy tree, and under every thick terebinth, the place where they did offer sweet savour to all their idols. | יג וִידַעְתֶּם, כִּי-אֲנִי ד’, בִּהְיוֹת חַלְלֵיהֶם בְּתוֹךְ גִּלּוּלֵיהֶם, סְבִיבוֹת מִזְבְּחוֹתֵיהֶם; אֶל כָּל-גִּבְעָה רָמָה בְּכֹל רָאשֵׁי הֶהָרִים, וְתַחַת כָּל-עֵץ רַעֲנָן וְתַחַת כָּל-אֵלָה עֲבֻתָּה, מְקוֹם אֲשֶׁר נָתְנוּ-שָׁם רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ, לְכֹל גִּלּוּלֵיהֶם |
Why is that wrong?
Because they acted like G-d lives in one place—like He’s physical. Like you can reach Him better on a high mountain.
But G-d is not impressed by height. He is drawn to humility. He is near to those who are low in spirit, not those who try to appear elevated.
What Does This Mean for Us?
Sometimes we want to feel close to God—through atmosphere, music, or beautiful words. But real closeness doesn’t come from a feeling of “height,” but from a sense of lacking.
Whoever turns to G-d from the pit—with a broken heart—is heard.
Whoever draws close through da’at—with honest reflection—is changed.
Whoever prays from a place of dependence, not pride, finds grace.
This applies whether you’re born into a religious tradition or not. If you seek G-d with sincerity—as a Noachide, as anyone—He hears you.
He doesn’t require that you climb. He asks that you bow your heart.
As Rav Kook explains in his commentary (Ein Aya §152), paraphrased here:
When a person feels small, recognizes their faults, and calls out to G-d from the depths—“Out of the depths I cry to You, O L-rd”—that is when real connection happens. The depth is not the end, but the beginning of rising up—whether through brokenness or understanding.
Summary
• There are two kinds of “depth”: brokenness and wisdom.
• Not every “depth” is real. Some feel deep but are empty.
• True depth comes from honestly looking at yourself.
• G-d wants a broken heart and an open spirit—not a show.
• You don’t need to climb up to reach Him—you only need to be honest.
As Rav Kook explains in his commentary on Berachot 10a (Ein Aya §152):
When a person feels small, recognizes their faults, and calls out to G-d from the depths — “Out of the depths I cry to You, O L-rd” — that is when real connection happens. The depth is not the end, but the beginning of rising up—whether through brokenness or understanding.
By Angelique Sijbolts
With thanks to Batya Yaniger for the Inspiration and feedback and Rabbi Tani Burton for his feedback
Sources
• Talmud, Berachot 10a
• Ein Aya on Berachot 10, §152 (Rav Kook)
• Psalms 130:1, 102:1
• Ezekiel 6:13
• Isaiah 57:15
• Proverbs 20:5
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