Page 35 - HaMizrachi Australia Sukkot 5781

Our
Ushpizi

david

Make a Hymn Out of It

Atara Eis

...ן ֶד ֵע ן ַגּ ִמ שׁ ָרֹג ְמ ם ָד ָא ל ָכּ But while our life experiences might honesty, and feel slight disappoint-
ף ֵסוֹי וֹמ ְכּ ם ֵלוֹח יִנ ֲא ם ַג ְו not be similar to those of King David, ment at David’s final recorded words
we immediately recognize and relate in Tanach. An ending that highlights
...רוֹבּ ַל וּק ְרָז י ִתוֹא ם ַגּ ן ֵכּ
.רוֹמְז ִמ הֶזּ ִמ ה ֶשׂוֹע יִנ ֲא ד ִו ָדּ וֹמ ְכוּ to David’s emotions and reactions to the king’s executive privilege demon-
his life experiences. We might even strates how different he was from us
Every human is exiled from occasionally wish that the founder in action but also reminds us of how
the Garden of Eden… of our eternal, religiously guided and emotionally and spiritually similar we
And I, too, dream like Yosef, spiritually infused monarchy would are to his reactions.
And I, too, was thrown into a pit… have reacted in a more refined way. For we, too, can choose to make a hymn
And like David, I make Our tradition struggles with his flaws, out of any troubles that come our way.
a hymn out of it. with many commentators throughout We can and must grow through our
the ages finding justifications for his
(Hanan Ben Ari, “Dream like Yosef”) halachically questionable moments. challenges. Poetry and song are unique
In contrast, others accept him, failings tools to process our triumphs and fail-
and all, and celebrate his self-honesty ures and ensure that we learn from
he popular musician Hanan and intense desire to return to G-d. our experiences and grow stronger
Ben Ari’s new song highlights in our service of Hashem. Through
the human trials that our David HaMelech may be the most Tehillim, David helps us increase our
TBiblical heroes faced and complex personality of the Tanach: awareness of Hashem’s Presence in
argues that we can channel their resil- King, Torah scholar, warrior, sage, all of reality. He explores every aspect
ience through our own challenges. Ben poet, and partially failed family man. of human spirituality and discovers
Ari brings David HaMelech to the con- Even as he takes his final breaths in Hashem in every corner of the human
this world, David HaMelech oozes com-
versation in a different way. He ends plexity. He encourages his heir Shlomo experience. As Hanan Ben Ari closes
the refrain by reminding us that, like to keep all the mitzvot truthfully and his song, we each play “a new role in
an ancient story.”
David HaMelech, we can make a hymn wholeheartedly so they will keep him
out of whatever troubles we experi- wise; in turn, G-d will keep His word
ence. But unlike Yosef, after whom he and continue their dynasty. But then,
names the song, he doesn’t list any of David turns political and sets Shlomo’s
David’s trials; he only lists his reaction royal agenda: resolving unfinished
to those troubles. Why? business by punishing his father’s
Although I don’t know what Ben Ari enemies. Yoav ben Tzruyah should be
intended, as a student of David HaMel- punished for his many errors, Barzilai
ech, this nuance made clear sense to HaGiladi should receive the kingdom’s
grace for saving David when he fled
me. Many of David’s “palace intrigue” from Avshalom, and Shim’i ben Gera
experiences are disconnected from should be punished, despite temporary
the average person’s mundane life. pardon during David’s lifetime. With
Though we might find some of his final words of revenge, the archetype
challenges ordinary and relatable, we of royalty passes from this world. As
do not share the royal tools that he Malbim notes, halachically, G-d grants
had at his disposal to handle his foes. kings more latitude to ensure their A member of
In contrast, we relate more easily to sovereignty by punishing enemies in the Mizrachi
Yosef; we too can “dream big,” and we contexts that wouldn’t warrant reac- Atara Eis is Director of Nishmat’s Miriam Speakers Bureau
too face crushing defeat when thrown tion in regular judicial situations. Glaubach Center and the U.S. Yoatzot Hala- mizrachi.org/
into a proverbial pit. Nonetheless, we can read the text with cha Fellows Program. speakers

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