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Monday, October 7, 2024

SLICHOS 5784 5785 HASHEM IS HERE

 

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!