Page 43 - HaMizrachi #33 Sukkot 2021 USA

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 defeat when thrown into a proverbial kings more latitude to ensure their
pit. sovereignty by punishing enemies in
ף ֵסוֹי וֹמ ְכּ ם ֵלוֹח יִנ ֲא ם ַג ְו
...רוֹבּ ַל וּק ְרָז י ִתוֹא ם ַגּ ן ֵכּ But while our life experiences might contexts that wouldn’t warrant reac-
.רוֹמְז ִמ הֶזּ ִמ ה ֶשׂוֹע יִנ ֲא ד ִו ָדּ וֹמ ְכוּ not be similar to those of King David, tion in regular judicial situations. None-
we immediately recognize and relate theless, we can read the text with hon-
Every human is exiled from esty, and feel slight disappointment at
the Garden of Eden… to David’s emotions and reactions to David’s final recorded words in Tanach.
And I, too, dream like Yosef, his life experiences. We might even An ending that highlights the king’s
And I, too, was thrown into a pit… occasionally wish that the founder executive privilege demonstrates how
of our eternal, religiously guided and
And like David, I make spiritually infused monarchy would different he was from us in action but
a hymn out of it.
have reacted in a more refined way. also reminds us of how emotionally
(Hanan Ben Ari, “Dream like Yosef”) Our tradition struggles with his flaws, and spiritually similar we are to his
with many commentators throughout reactions.
the ages finding justifications for his For we, too, can choose to make a hymn
he popular musician Hanan halachically questionable moments. out of any troubles that come our way.
Ben Ari’s new song highlights In contrast, others accept him, failings We can and must grow through our
the human trials that our Bib- and all, and celebrate his self-honesty challenges. Poetry and song are unique
Tlical heroes faced and argues and intense desire to return to G-d. tools to process our triumphs and fail-
that we can channel their resilience David HaMelech may be the most ures and ensure that we learn from our
through our own challenges. Ben Ari complex personality of the Tanach: experiences and grow stronger in our
brings David HaMelech to the conver- King, Torah scholar, warrior, sage, service of Hashem. Through Tehillim,
sation in a different way. He ends the poet, and partially failed family man. David helps us increase our awareness
refrain by reminding us that, like David Even as he takes his final breaths in of Hashem’s Presence in all of reality.
HaMelech, we can make a hymn out this world, David HaMelech oozes com- He explores every aspect of human spir-
of whatever troubles we experience. plexity. He encourages his heir Shlomo ituality and discovers Hashem in every
But unlike Yosef, after whom he names to keep all the mitzvot truthfully and corner of the human experience. As
the song, he doesn’t list any of David’s wholeheartedly so they will keep him Hanan Ben Ari closes his song, we each
trials; he only lists his reaction to those wise; in turn, G-d will keep His word play “a new role in an ancient story.”
troubles. Why? and continue their dynasty. But then,
David turns political and sets Shlomo’s
Although I don’t know what Ben Ari royal agenda: resolving unfinished
intended, as a student of David HaMel- business by punishing his father’s
ech, this nuance made clear sense to enemies. Yoav ben Tzruyah should be
me. Many of David’s “palace intrigue” punished for his many errors, Barzilai
experiences are disconnected from the HaGiladi should receive the kingdom’s
average person’s mundane life. Though grace for saving David when he fled
we might find some of his challenges from Avshalom, and Shim’i ben Gera
ordinary and relatable, we do not share should be punished, despite temporary A member of
the royal tools that he had at his dis- pardon during David’s lifetime. With the Mizrachi
posal to handle his foes. In contrast, we final words of revenge, the archetype Atara Eis is Director of Nishmat’s Miriam Speakers Bureau
relate more easily to Yosef; we too can of royalty passes from this world. As Glaubach Center and the U.S. Yoatzot Halacha mizrachi.org/
“dream big,” and we too face crushing Malbim notes, halachically, G-d grants Fellows Program. speakers

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