The Slichos for the Fast of Gedalia feature
a liturgical poem by Rashi, the greatest of the commentators on Jewish
religious texts. The piyut is about repentance in general therefore it is very
relevant to the high holidays. It interweaves kabalistic themes like the number
seven, the directions of the compass, cosmology, and eschatology. Cosmology is
the philosophical concept that deals with beginnings i.e. ma’aseh bereshis (מעשה בראשית). Eschatology is the subject of the final
redemption. In the Slichos for nusach Sefard (Hasidim) it is the 42nd.
For nusach Ashkenaz it is the 46th.
The second chapter of the book of Genesis
seems to be alluded to in the opening line in its use of the word before (טֶרֶם) as well as its rhythm. “Even before the clouds were stretched
above, on the earth the clods were still not clung together”. It then describes
the seven items that were created 2000 years before man. They are
1. religion,
2. the throne of glory,
3. a cure for wild children i.e. repentance,
4. the glory of the Garden of Eden,
5. scorching bloodsuckers i.e. hell,
6. the place of repentance by means of sacrifices i.e. the altar in the
Temple,
7. the brilliant name (essence) of the messiah, which has been desecrated
through our sins.
Rashi continues that these were placed in
the sky with sparkling luster which invites a comparison to the seven celestial
objects of antiquity. They are the sun, moon, and five easily visible planets,
but one cannot carry the metaphor too far. So to speak the Holy One blessed be He
is sitting on the throne. To His right (by implication the west) is the written
law. In the south is paradise and in the north is hell. To the east is
Jerusalem.

The foundation stone is slightly different
in that it has the name of the Moshiach etched on it, and this is compared to
the ineffable four letter name of G-d. In this way the concept of redemption
accompanies the concept of repentance. The basis is that thoughts of redemption
beckon a person to teshuva. The bridge is that the foundation stone is
associated with water, Succos is associated with rain, and rain is in the hands
of heaven. Therefore when a person turns his heart to our Father who is in
heaven, he begins to change his point of view and his behavior. This in turn
heals the weak and the sick.
Rashi compares the process to washing
filthy garments, dressing in nice clothes, and putting fragrant oil on the
heads of the penitent. The vehicle for penitence is prayer acknowledging and
expressing regret for past misdeeds. He then paraphrases the verse that our
words should be considered like sacrifices. He concludes that our sins should
sink into the ground like water and we should be brought under the wings of
G-d’s abundant mercy.
לע"נ הדוד מאיר בן חיים ז"ל
נלב"ע כה בתשרי תשנ"ב
http://dyschreiber.blogspot.co.ilניתן בדואר אלקטרוני וגם באתר
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