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Shana Tova : May We All Merit The Book of Life

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muman613:
http://www.torah.org/advanced/sfas-emes/5764/roshhashanah.html


--- Quote ---The Sfas Emes begins with a comment on the simanim" (the 'signs'). The reference here is to the minhag (practice) of eating certain special foods on the evening of Rosh Hashana, and accompanying them with a heartfelt cry out to HaShem. The foods selected are foods whose names are merameiz (allude) to concerns that are inevitably on our minds as we begin the Yom Hadin (Day of Judgment). For example, we eat karsi (leeks) and ask -- Actually, we should not 'ask'; we should implore: Yehi ratzon she'yikarsu son'einu!" That is, working with the Hebrew root KaRoS -- to cut down -- we eat some leek and say, "May it be Your will to cut down our enemies! "

Why do we follow this practice of alluding to our this-worldly needs (e.g., health, wealth, happy interpersonal relations ...) as Rosh Hashana begins ? The Sfas Emes explains that this practice is in line with the Zohar's perspective on the meaning of Rosh Hashana. The Zohar tells us that on Rosh Hashana, the thrust of our prayer should be that all human- kind accept HaShem as King. Thus, the special Rosh Hashana section of the Amida begins: "U'vechein tein pachdecha ... " ("May the entire world fear HaShem.")

Why the focus on fear? Because if a person allows himself a bit of reflection on life, he cannot avoid recognizing how vulnerable he/she is. This vulnerability comes in multiple dimensions. It may involve, for example, the secure parnasa (livelhood) that evaporates when the person is 'let go '; the solid marriage which unexpectedly cracks; the disabling illness that comes seemingly from nowhere.

Recognizng one's vulnerability, in turn, means recognizing one's total dependence on HaShem. Thus, in a very matter-of-fact way, fear can be the first step in developing a relationship with HaShem. I say "first step" because fear can start a process that ultimately leads to love of HaShem.

Because the main theme of Rosh Hashana is our accepting HaShem as Melech (King), we address our olam hazeh concerns (concerns that involve this world) only indirectly, by the "hints" (the remazim) of the simanim. In doing so, we are making an important statement to ourselves. That is, we are relegating those concerns to the status of mere auxiliaries or helpers in our primary avoda. We are also making a statement: that the main item on the Rosh Hashana agenda is accepting Malchus Shamayim (HaShem's Kingship).
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Yaakov Mendel:
Shana tova Michael. Many thanks for your numerous interesting points and discussions. I learn about Judaism with you - even if I sometimes have different interpretations. It must take you quite some time to be so active on the forum.

muman613:

--- Quote from: Yaakov Mendel on September 28, 2011, 07:07:26 AM ---Shana tova Michael. Many thanks for your numerous interesting points and discussions. I learn about Judaism with you - even if I sometimes have different interpretations. It must take you quite some time to be so active on the forum.

--- End quote ---

Shana Tovah Yaakov,

I appreciate your kind words and wish you and your family a very sweet and good New Year.

I am inclined to believe that we share more opinions than we have differences. I realize that it may be difficult to understand where I am coming from sometimes. I hope that eventually we all come to understand ourselves and the ways of Hashem in this world.

My goal is to understand the Torah which was passed down through the Jewish people. Judaism is very complex and can be understood in many ways even by our sages. It should be every Jews desire to seek the truth which is embedded within the Torah, to make this world a place for Hashem to be the king, and to teach every human that our G-d is the creator of everything. I have trust/bitachon that eventually this will happen...

May you be inscribed in the Book of Life!!!

muman613:
Good explanation of the concepts of Rosh Hashanah...

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