Parshas Haazinu (Yom Kippur)

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Parshas Haazinu (Yom Kippur)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The importance of the parsha can be perceived from the words of the Chumash itself in Parshas Vayelech (31:19). “Write this song for yourselves and teach it to Bnei Yisroel, and place it in their mouths”. 31:25—“It shall be that when many evils and distress will be encountered then this song shall speak up as a witness”. One of the outstanding themes is the observation and sensitivity to the events that we are constantly experiencing. This has a special timely meaning as will be explained.

It is clear that the central theme of Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur is relating specifically to the ‘Malchus HaShem’. This amounts to superimposing to HaShem, kavyachol, the image, concept and the experiencing of earthly human royalty. This is a combination of awe, fear and admiration. The institution of authentic royalty is contemporarily extinct. Because of this we are faced with a challenge of not having the slightest concept of ‘malchus’ with which to relate to HaShem.

Queen Esther put her life on the line by petitioning for a few words with His Majesty. Bear in mind that this was none other than her husband who she was supposedly so endeared to. This is a startling glimpse at the awesome quality of true royalty and our lack of insight into it. In the Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur Shmoneh Esrei when expressing the yearning for the fear and reverence of the Kingdom of HaShem to be reinstated, the commentaries explain the word “Uvchen” (tain pachdecha) is a reference to the term Esther used when relating to her encounter with King Achashverosh!

How can we relate to the ‘Malchus HaShem’ without having witnessed or experienced it? The awesome grandeur of royalty is void. However it is possible to achieve our connection to malchus through the glorious manifestation of the Malchus Shomayim which is demonstrated through the manipulation of the current events which surround us; the theme of our parsha and very appropo for Yom Kippur whose theme is ‘malchus HaShem’.

A Gmar Chasima Tova for all of us and all of Klal Yisroel.