Recognizing the limits of human understanding, especially when faced with divine grace and providence, leads to the deepest realization of God's absolute oneness. By observing acts that defy human logic, it becomes clear that the Creator is not simply the greatest force in existence, but the only true force.
Commentators explore how this immense greatness is revealed. One perspective suggests that God's majesty becomes apparent precisely because human minds cannot grasp the depth of His thoughts or the unearned grace He grants to those who may not deserve it [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. Another view anchors His greatness in His absolute mastery over creation and His exclusive knowledge of the future. He is the original cause and the ultimate purpose connecting the entire chain of events in the world, holding the details of the future alone [מלבי״ם, רלב״ג]. By recognizing His will, a person understands that He is elevated above everything, with thoughts entirely beyond human reach [רד״ק].
Describing God as great carries a conceptual risk, as words like great and small are relative. It might mistakenly imply the existence of lesser deities. To prevent this, an immediate clarification is made: there is no other god at all, neither great nor small [אברבנאל]. Every created force in reality has a limit and a measure. Even the highest cosmic forces and celestial systems are merely tools directed by the spirit of God, whereas He is completely boundless [מלבי״ם]. Because of this infinite nature, no created being can ever be compared to Him to measure the depth of His thoughts [מצודת דוד, רלב״ג].
This absolute uniqueness raises a question. If there is no god besides Him, it is obvious that there is none like Him, making the repetition seem unnecessary. The answer lies in the reliance on everything that has been heard by the people. The declaration that there is no other power does not stem from a naive ignorance of other beliefs. Humanity has heard about all forms of idolatry, and it is precisely through this thorough awareness that the absolute truth of God's exclusivity is confirmed [אלשיך]. This hearing encompasses several profound experiences. It refers to the wondrous events revealed throughout the world [מצודת דוד], as well as the rich traditions passed down from earlier generations [רד״ק]. Furthermore, it serves as a direct reminder of the revelation at Mount Sinai, where the Israelites heard the commandments declaring God's singularity and forbidding other deities directly from the Divine [חומת אנך].