SLICHOS 5784/5785 -
HASHEM IS HERE
We begin Slichos on Motzei Shabbos coming off the happiness
and holiness of a Shabbos celebrated with Kedusha and additional Torah study.
This Shabbos specifically gave us more reason to be joyous as the news of
Hashem’s enemy’s demise reached us not long ago. However, it would seem to be
more fitting for Slichos to begin with a feeling of sad remorse or even pain
form the trials and tribulations we suffer because of our sins. Why is it that
the proper mood entering slichos should be one of joy?
We read in today’s parsha that when klal Yisrael would
suffer a blow and respond כי אין אלוקי בקרבי
It is because Hashem is not in our midst that these misfortunes took place, the
resultant reaction from Hashem is surprisingly more haster panim. The
Sfas Emes explains that this is a wrongful perspective of Klal Yisrael, because
Hashem IS ALWAYS בקרבנו!
It was Amalek that tried to persuade us, when we had our doubts of היש ה' בקרבינו, that He is not amongst us. Amalek tries
to introduce us to מקרה and קרי,
random incidental events and misfortunes due to other factors and not G-d. When
Klal Yisrael, faced with problems doesn’t see Hashem’s interaction with them,
the response is Hastir Astir – Hashem will hide His hiddenness and bring
misfortunes in ways that only could be attributed to G-d.
My Rebbi, R’ Brudny שליטא expressed this issue
as current events unfolded last week, revealing Israel’s advanced capabilities
to track, plan and bring devastation upon targeted individuals through their
booby-trapped pagers and yet they were completely unaware and helpless on Oct
7. It is not כחי ועוצם ידי in our victories, nor
communication or other failures when we fall. Don’t get caught up in the Many
links in the chain that is being pulled by Hashem! There are no סיבות-
other causes. Only Hashem. The good, the bad, the norms and the upheavals.
Everything is יד ה'.
Regarding the mitzvah of מעקה
– making a rooftop guardrail, Rashi clearly says that the person would fall to
his death elsewhere, regardless the protection around your own property. If he
is destined to fall, he will. We are just commanded to avoid being a link in
that catastrophic chain. The Chovos Halevovos writes as well in Shar HaBitachon
of the all-encompassing hand of G-d in everything that happens, not to fault or
blame others for any misfortune and not to take credit or pride in our
accomplishments. Hashem is Here. He is with us in everything. He is
ever-present.
The 23rd of Ellul was 9/11’s yahrtzeit. It was a
day in which the most unified, instantaneous response from millions of viewers
was “Oh My G-D”. It was a moment of complete surprise, helplessness and lack of
control. But it was a moment. And it was only when humanity was bereft of its
abilities to the point that there was no כחי ועוצם
ידי. But we must recognize that Hashem is Here. Always.
Ever-present.
There is a startling Medrash Rabbah (Bereishis 2.5) that
says when Hashem created the world He foresaw the deed of the righteous and
those of the wicked, but it is not clear which of these He chose to “like”
until the passuk clarifies וירא ה' את האור כי טוב -
Hashem saw the light of the righteous as being good. All the commentaries jump
to ask how could there be any doubt in our minds as to which Hashem prefers????
One answer given, is that the situations of רשע
וטוב לו can confuse us to think
that perhaps “they” are right, as they seem showered with Hashem’s love and
attention. Another Answer is the Emunah we have in כל פעל ה'
למעניהו – That all that happens is for Hashem’s ultimate plan and
purpose in the world. Even the unpleasant events in the world are ultimately
necessary pieces in the broader puzzle and are “good”.
But the Alter of Kelm answers with a pertinent message for
us. It is not referring to the evil deeds of the wicked, weighed against the
good deeds of the righteous, rather it is discerning between the rare, but
gregarious and immense GOOD deeds of the wicked and the common, miniscule, good
deeds of the righteous. It is the ever so many, constant small deeds that
Hashem desires over the seldom but noticeably heroic actions of the wicked.
Chazal tell us that when a righteous person leave a place
his absence leaves a mark. But haven’t we seen just recently that when a wicked
person departs, it also leaves a gaping crater? The answer is that the wicked
don’t just wait for their departure to make a big bang. They announce their
presence and make themselves heard and felt by everyone around them. Not so the
Tzaddik. He is quiet and humble in his presence and his actions are subtle and
noticeable only to those who look out for them. Yet when all his subtle but
consistent avodah ends, his departure leaves an enormous aching cavity.
The famous Ramban at the very end of Parshas Bo explains
that all of the mitzvos and all of creation in general, are for the sole
purpose of leading us to a connection with Hashem that expresses “בריאותיך אנחנו” - “We are your creations!” But he notes
this most specifically on “mitzvos kalos” which are extra
precious because they apply so much more often. שבכל שעה
אדם מודב בהן לאלוקיו – Through them, at all times
one is proclaiming his belief and loyalty to his Creator.
The Rambam writes that throughout these days of Yomim Noraim
it is customary to increase our charity, good deeds and to be engaged in
mitzvos. Many commentaries note, that he doesn’t mention doing the greatest
mitzvah of all; Torah Study, rather his focus is on engaging and pursuing many
good deeds.
This is our purpose. This is how a Jew lives; with Hashem
ever present in all that he does. This is the very FIRST halacha in Shulchan
Aruch! The Rema writes how a Jew places Hashem before him always. And it should
be subtly evident in all of his mannerism! How he speaks, sits, walks, all
express the real live Emunah that we are in Hashem’s presence! Not at rare
eureka moments of clarity. Not when we feel surprised or helpless. Like a royal
guard caught in a t shirt and shorts instead of his royal uniform representing
the King, we are ashamed of the myriads of opportunities we had to express בריאותיך אנחנו! that were sadly left as just mundane
everyday life not much different than our non-Jewish neighbors. Do our Brachos
express “"בריאותיך אנחנו!? Does our driving, tone of voice, patience
with others, or mode of dress shout “"בריאותיך אנחנו!? Does our time management
reflect “"בריאותיך אנחנו!?
The holy joyous approach to slichos is one that says, even
in my failures and guilt, יש ה' בקרבינו! He is right here waiting for our calls! He
has never abandoned us even in our lowliest moments! He is ever present and is
lovingly listening to our apologies and remorse and prayers. And from now on we
will express that! In small, subtle but constant changes in our actions and
manner that reflect “"בריאותיך אנחנו!
The Ramban mentioned above cites that the entire purpose of
creating places to gather and daven, the entire purpose of raising our voices
in prayer and thanks, is all to express “בריאותיך
אנחנו” - “We are your creations!” Every Kaddish, Every Amen every
exuberant Ashrei or Aleinu…. Let us all call shamefully out joyously call
out “"בריאותיך אנחנו!