By Rabbi Zisha Kohn
When it comes to Rosh Hashanah, many people are confused about the nature of the day. Everyone knows that it's a day of judgment - the books are open and people are written into what kind of year they will have. The scariest question is decided on Rosh Hashanah, namely who will live and who will leave this world. It's a day of trepidation and of tremendous fear.
How Can Anyone Have an Appetite on Such a Serious Day
Yet, many our behaviors seem to contradict the gravity of the day. Instead of getting dressed in black, we dress in our holiday attire and there is a Mitzvah to get a haircut before Rosh Hashanah. We sit down to a festive meal with family, enjoying meat and wine and even singing (both at the table and in shul). How can anyone have an appetite for a meal when serious judgment is taking place? Why did the Sages want us to show a great Simcha (joy) on that day?
Furthermore, all we talk about Malchiyus, Shofros, Zichronos, and how Hashem is the King of the world and how He should put His fear over creation. Nowhere do we talk about judgment (not counting later additions by the Rabbis like the famous "Unesaneh Tokef" prayer). We don't daven or beg Hashem to judge us for a year of life. The entire davening speaks about the greatness of Hashem. So, what is Rosh Hashanah really about? Is it a day of judgment or a day of making Hashem King? Is it both - and if yes, what's the connection between the two of them?
Rabbi Chaim Friedlander, of blessed memory
Rabbi Chaim Friedlander, O"BM (Sifsei Chaim, Ma'amer Avodosei Rosh Hashanah) explains a concept taught by the Ramchal. When Yosef Hatzaddik was thrown into prison, he met the bread baker and the winemaker of Pharaoh who were also thrown into the dungeon. The bread-baker messed up and there was a pebble in Pharaoh's bread, while the wine-maker allowed a fly to land in the wine.
One day, Yosef sees that they were sad and they told him their dream, which Yosef interpreted to mean that they will get out in "three days' time" and Pharaoh would judge them. These days were Pharaoh’s birthday and the bread-baker would be put to death, while the winemaker would resume his post.
The obvious question is what does this judgment have to do with Pharaoh's birthday? Since when is a birthday party about who gets killed and who gets their job back?
Not Just an Ordinary Birthday
Rabbi Friedlander answers that we know that Pharaoh claimed to be a god, in that he was the one who “made” Mitzrayim. As such, his birthday wasn’t just a birthday. It is a day of inauguration of another year of the Land called Egypt. If that's the case, on that day, he decides who is good for the kingdom and who is not. His birthday was the first day of the new year for Egypt and then the process of evaluation began. “That guy is good for the kingdom, so we will keep him,” he rules, “while that one is no longer of any use and he has to go. Another guy is "in-between," so we will let him live, but won't give him money.”
L'Havdil, (to separate between a flesh-and-blood king and the King of Kings), if the day of Rosh Hashanah was just a judgement about this past year and Hashem would decide if we get life based on how we acted, then the judgment would be on the last day of the year. However, Rosh Hashanah has nothing to do with this past year. It's the 5781st inauguration day of Hashem as Melech (king) of this world. Hashem is declared King and now the King is deciding how everyone fits into the kingdom (this World) this year. Who shall live and who shall die? Who will be wealthy and who will be poor? Who should be healthy and who will get sick? Who will move around and who will stay put?
This is How Teshuvah Works
Where Hashem wants every person depends on where it’s good for the Kingdom. For that determination to be made, Hashem looks at the previous year to see how one did and how they contributed to the wellbeing of the kingdom. This is why Teshuvah works, because if one can prove that he can be effective for the coming year and they are ready to put the effort it, that’s enough. If one takes on a Kabballah (resolution) and says, “this year, I will push myself to do more to bring out Hashem’s Kingship and greatness,” then Hashem puts him into position to be a part of His Kingdom.
Certainly, Rosh Hashanah is Judgment day and there is awe. It is the people who want to bring out the Honor, to glorify the King’s Name, and seek to be part of his cabernet are in prime position to get a year of life and success. We show up at the inauguration and eat a fine meal (at the King’s table) to show we want to be part of the Kingdom and Hashem responds with a year of life.
The Greatest Wake-Up Call We Can Get
We see that the Machzor lists ten understandings of the Shofar. For example, the Rambam says that it’s an alarm clock for the sleepy folks to wake up and do Teshuvah, while Rav Sa’adia Gaon says that it’s the trumpet that coronates the King. A third opinion holds that it’s a warning of the Nevi’im. Well, which one is it? The answer is that the Shofar is all of the above. The greatest wake-up call we can get, and the greatest trembling are all one thing.
When we coronate Hashem as King, we have to ask: what is my relationship with Hashem? Am I the type of person who Hashem wants for His Kingship and I generate honor of Heaven with my actions? So, the trumpet for Hashem’s Kingship IS the alarm clock! There aren’t ten different “intentions” of the Shofar. When one realizes Hashem is King everything else will come to him automatically.
We may not have had the best year for the Kingdom this past year, so the question we must address is, what should we do now? Rabbi Avigdor Miller, O”BM, offers us advice. Imagine there are two workers in a company. One worker is the ideal employee in the sense that he is punctual and does his job perfectly, but he is a grouch who drives people away with his unpleasantness. Then, there is another fellow who is a decent worker who sometimes messes up and comes late to work, but he is such a pleasure to be around that he attracts business. One day, the owner falls on hard times and he has to downsize one of the two workers. Obviously, the perfect worker will have to be fired, because although he does the job right, nobody wants to come to the store because of his attitude. The other guy, albeit not perfect, brings in business.
The question is, are we bringing honor to Hashem’s Kingdom? If we are pleasant with other people and make a good name for a Torah-true Jew, if we can be ones who bring Kvod Shomayim, we have a good chance to be kept around. Hashem should bless us with Arichus Yamim V’Shonim, a plentiful Parnassah, and good health. On our end, we must show our commitment at this time that we’re the type of people that make others feel good to be part of His Kingdom! A Gut Yom Tov to all!
Reprinted from the Rosh Hashana 5781 email of Torah Sweets.
