Page 18 - HaMizrachi02-04( #12)2019RoshHaShanaYomKippurUSA

Rabbi Yuval Cherlow

That Very

First Melody

hen we begin singing the land and subdue it, and rule over been inflicted upon sections within
tingling melody for ּוכ ְ ר ָּ ב the fish of the sea and the birds of it. And we’re still embroiled in
Won the first night of Rosh the heavens…” thus establishing scandals and corruption, violence
Hashanah – or when some com- Divine laws for the world. Indeed, and other social ills…
munities sing הָּנ ַ ט ְ ק תֹוח ָ א beforehand we remind ourselves that “If G-d
– we are expressing what words will not build the house, its builders So our tunes at the advent of Rosh
cannot express. labor on it in vain…” (Psalms 127:1). Hashanah are notes of request:
Everything depends on the King of that the coming year will be better.
The tune carries two themes. One the Universe and his leadership. A year in which we will build
is that we are now proclaiming G-d the infrastructure for a just and
as King of the Universe. Through This is the reason for our great honest society. A year in which
this tune, we are about to shed the celebration ּונֵּ ג ַ ח םֹוי ְ ל ה ֶ ס ֵּ כ ַּ ב – at the we will engage in constant repair
way we’ve been living for 354 days time appointed for our festive day and correction; a year in which the
of the year. We have been operating (Psalms 81:4). First and foremost, sound of the sirens will be sounds
naturally and were convinced that Rosh Hashanah is a Yom Tov, and of joy and not testimony to further
it is our actions that determine our that is its halachic status too. It is security quicksand; a year in which
fate and that it is the people we are a chag because we are celebrating the people of Israel find more and
dependent on who decide what our the day of coronation. That is why more ways to connect to our Jewish
future is to be. the Rishonim discussed whether it and faith-based identity, and that
is even permissible to fast on it and the Jewish melody will melt the
And then comes Rosh Hashanah, to our prayers do not mention vidui hearts and souls of all Jews; a year
shake us out of this illusion. Here (confession, as on Yom Kippur), in which people will be smiling and
we declare to ourselves – and blow loving each other and seeking – and
the shofar to spread the message sins or the 13 Divine attributes of seeing – the good in everyone; a
throughout the universe – that G-d mercy. Nevertheless, we remember year in which those who have not
is “King over the entire world” and – Zichronot – that coronation also yet found their place find it; a year
that we’ve been missing the mark means judgment, for at the time in which older singles will hear
for the rest of the year. G-d appears in the world, He is
accompanied by the attribute of their wedding bands, and become
There is a King, and it is He who judgment. Still, the day’s theme submerged in worlds of happiness.
determines the results of our remains Crowning Him as King. This is why these opening tunes are
actions. This does not mean our
actions have no meaning, or that all However, our tunes carry another so powerful and meaningful for us.
we need to do is observe what G-d theme as well – the sound of Because in them we are investing
all these thoughts and more. And
does. He Himself taught us that the request, hope and faith. The past
world He created runs according to year has not been easy in Israel. The praying with all our being that it
the way of nature, “the way of the hatred, divisions and vitriol of the will indeed be a fresh, joyous and
world,” and that human deeds have elections, the pain of those unable healthy new year for us all.
deep significance. to cope with the financial demands Rabbi Yuval Cherlow is a Rosh
of reality, huge security expenses, Yeshiva and a founding member of an
Already when creating us, He said, etc. We must reconstruct a people organization devoted to bridging the
“Be fruitful and multiply and fill the after so much pain and hurt has religious-secular divide in Israel

18 |