בס"ד
On the first day of Rosh HaShana the Haftarah is about the birth of the prophet Samuel. The theme of birth is relevant because Rosh Hashanah is the birth of a new year. For adults the idea of a new year is not such a big deal but for children it is. This is because at the time of Rosh Hashanah they start a new school year. They have a new class, a new teacher, new lessons, and new classmates. Sometimes they even start a new school. As a result the new year really is new and an elevation as well.
Shmuel the prophet ushered in a new and higher era for the nation of Israel. From time to time that happens. When Israel was in Egypt they grew from a large extended family into a people. With Moshe rebenu Israel advanced from being an ethnic group to a nation with a law and a mission. During the period of the judges, Israel had a rudimentary social structure with ad hoc leaders who may have been prophets too. Shmuel established a king with a dynasty and a period of great prophets. The nation became more unified and the laws more consistent.
The shofar heralds the start of a new year and a trumpet heralds the arrival of a king. The Holy One, blessed be He, speaks directly to the prophet and the prophet gives the message to its recipient. Often it is the nation as a whole or to the king, but it can be any individual. The message can be instructions, guidance, encouragement, rebuke, or praise. Instructions tend to be general because G-d wishes to see man use his gift of creativity. The system of a prophet and a king lasted for centuries and gave Israel periods of greatness like the days of King David, Solomon, Hezekiah, and Yoshiyahu. We also had great prophets like Shmuel, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. Sadly we didn't appreciate this wonderful gift so we squandered it away to be rebellious, evil, and vain. But those that learn will see its return.
People are often puzzled as to why Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, comes after Rosh Hashanah, the start of the new year. It seems logical that with the approach of the new year we would reflect on what we did in the old year, especially the mistakes and how to do things better. In fact this is the theme of the preceding month of Elul. Its mazel is the virgin and just like a virgin is pure, we should strive to purify ourselves of any defilement caused by mistakes.
However there is a kinder way of looking at it. The Aggadah of the midrash on the Book of Samuel (ch. 17) states there are three people for which all of their sins are forgiven: One who converts to Judaism, one who is promoted to a high position, and one who marries. The idea is that a completely new environment equals a fresh start. They are dealing with different people and different issues. What happened in the old job, the old world, or the old class is of less significance. It's appropriate for one to consider old problems so they do not come back. As a result when a new year starts, it is a similar situation. It is good to go through a long list of sins, recognize them, regret them, and resolve not to repeat them. That is Yom Kippur which comes shortly after the new year has just begun. It is like a person has been born again with a new task, new friends, and a new life in a new and better world.
לע"נ האמא מלכה בת חיים ז"ל נלב"ע טז ניסן תשנ"ח
העלון ניתן לקבל בדואר אלקטרוני וגם באתר http://dyschreiber.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment