Part 2: Chapter 1 How much Does G-d need our "Flattery"?

But in order to settle this [the question why we have to think about G-d's attributes/names in prayer] we need to preface summarily what has been explaiined regarding the Hallel (Thanksgiving) prayer - what purpose do these praises serve? Does He need them? For all inhabitants of the world are like naught before him...And some explained that these praises are intended to purify our souls. In recognizing His benevolence and that He alone is able to reform the matter as he sees fit  we prepare our souls to be better vessels to receive the abundance from Above.

There's a deeper question that needs to be addressed here. Why do we need to tell G-d at all what it is that we need in prayer? He knows much better than I what I need and what is the best way to provide this to me. There's a similar question regarding why we are constantly praising G-d for his wondrous creations.

It is one of the customs and legal requirements in the month of Nissan to make a blessing regarding the flowering trees. We try to make a blessing on two fruit bearing trees with the general expression of praise and thankfulness for having created beautiful creatures in His world. When I'm making the blessing I'm not asking for anything just expressing my gratitude. There are certain things for which I give thanks for their magnitude - the expansive ocean, a shooting star, a volcano. There are things that I give thanks for their difference, their peculiarity...

Most people enjoy a compliment. Some are not satisfied with a light compliment, they require a few coats of paint on their compliment.  Now, it's clear that the enjoyment of the compliment is relative to the stature of the person giving the compliment. I don't enjoy at all receiving a compliment from a small child. So what benefit can there be for G-d from our praise? So one answer is more psychological having to do with the effect on the one giving the compliment. That the praise to G-d causes an uplifting of the soul to better receive the abundance. But there is another explanation from a kabbalistic perspective...

Blessings and praises were instituted by the Sages in the beginning of the Second Temple period. The more simple explanation is that because the Second Temple period was less miraculous and supernatural, there was more of a need to praise the small daily miracles that occur inside of nature. By sensitizing ourselves to these occurrences we can also realize when G-d is answering our prayers and be properly grateful for the abundance we receive from Him on a daily basis.

(The text in italics are the words of Derech Mitzvosecha by the third Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Tzemach Tzedek. The bolded words are Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz's commentary as heard on his shiurim on hashefa.co.il. The rest is my commentary. All rights reserved to Rabbi Steinsaltz. Picture courtesy of Moshe Schlass.)