ENTRY TO THE INNER CIRCLE
Reeh - Elul
Every year on Rosh Hashona, we arrive in droves to our shuls. We take our pre-assigned seats, open our Machzors and wait for the intense G-dly experience to unfold and inspire us. Like villagers flocking to the gates of the palace, we have come, hoping to get a glimpse of the King.
When the king is in his palace, the radiance and majesty is overwhelming. The scene is one of pure royalty, drawing and inspiring the heart and minds of all of those who experience it.
But not everyone merits to gain entrance and behold this awe-inspiring scene. Only those unique individuals, people with connections, ministerial positions or other connections, are able to enter the inner sanctum and see the king in all his glory.
But there is a time when even the commoner can access the king. When the king is traveling in the field, anybody can connect to him. All it takes is to put down our work tools, approach the king and pledge our loyalty.
Somehow, this setting is less alluring. When the king is in the field, there is no majestic hall with marble floors and mirrored walls. The golden throne and plush velvet drapes are missing. The absence of the crown and trappings of opulence is noticeable. The experience does not seem all that it should be; certainly not strong enough to draw most away from their busy lives and personal affairs to make the approach.
But for those who see reality more clearly, who are willing to forgo on the props and backdrop, the king is still the king, be he in crown and robes or simple clothing. All the fanfare and regalia are missing, but the essence of the king is there to approach. Those who make the effort to put their affairs aside to greet his majesty are richly rewarded. They are greeted in friendship with a kind face and a waiting ear, ready to fulfill their heart’s desires
When the king returns back to the palace, the throngs arrive at the gates, pushing to gain entry, only to realize that it is too late for them. “You, you and you”, the ministers call forward select individuals who may enter.
Those who made the effort when the reward was not apparent are now granted entry into the elite circle. They have the once in a lifetime opportunity `to behold the full revelation of the king’s glory. The rest remain outside the palace walls, satisfying themselves with the lesser revelation, but knowing that they have missed out on the full experience.
During the High Holy days, Hashem sits upon the throne of Glory, the King is in the palace. The angels tremble in awe. The Divine energies of Creation are re-aroused and the G-dly revelations draw the soul and inspires us deeply. The revelation of the High Holydays is so powerful that we cannot help but feel something.
But to truly experience the glory and the holiness, to allow the sublime revelation of Hashem’s kingship to shine into our souls, we cannot just show up like commoners at the King’s gate. Our seating cards may let us into the Shul, but they do not gain us entry into the palace.
There is a way in and that is the month of Elul, the final month of the year. The month of Elul may not possess the heightened revelations of the High Holy Days and Yomim Tovim, but it is the key to them.
During the month of Elul, the month of Rachamim (Divine mercy), Hashem is present and accessible in our day-to-day lives.
Elul is about self-motivation; to put aside our personal ambitions and affairs and to turn to Hashem and surrender ourselves and accept His Kingship. The mundane experience may not feel as spiritually inspiring, but the reward is worth it for those who make the effort.
Because when we do, the King in the Field receives us with a pleasant face and shows us His joyous countenance. And we gain VIP access to see the King in the palace, with a meaningful, inspired Tishrei and all of the King’s blessings for a Kesiva Vechasima Tova.
When the king is in his palace, the radiance and majesty is overwhelming. The scene is one of pure royalty, drawing and inspiring the heart and minds of all of those who experience it.
But not everyone merits to gain entrance and behold this awe-inspiring scene. Only those unique individuals, people with connections, ministerial positions or other connections, are able to enter the inner sanctum and see the king in all his glory.
But there is a time when even the commoner can access the king. When the king is traveling in the field, anybody can connect to him. All it takes is to put down our work tools, approach the king and pledge our loyalty.
Somehow, this setting is less alluring. When the king is in the field, there is no majestic hall with marble floors and mirrored walls. The golden throne and plush velvet drapes are missing. The absence of the crown and trappings of opulence is noticeable. The experience does not seem all that it should be; certainly not strong enough to draw most away from their busy lives and personal affairs to make the approach.
But for those who see reality more clearly, who are willing to forgo on the props and backdrop, the king is still the king, be he in crown and robes or simple clothing. All the fanfare and regalia are missing, but the essence of the king is there to approach. Those who make the effort to put their affairs aside to greet his majesty are richly rewarded. They are greeted in friendship with a kind face and a waiting ear, ready to fulfill their heart’s desires
When the king returns back to the palace, the throngs arrive at the gates, pushing to gain entry, only to realize that it is too late for them. “You, you and you”, the ministers call forward select individuals who may enter.
Those who made the effort when the reward was not apparent are now granted entry into the elite circle. They have the once in a lifetime opportunity `to behold the full revelation of the king’s glory. The rest remain outside the palace walls, satisfying themselves with the lesser revelation, but knowing that they have missed out on the full experience.
During the High Holy days, Hashem sits upon the throne of Glory, the King is in the palace. The angels tremble in awe. The Divine energies of Creation are re-aroused and the G-dly revelations draw the soul and inspires us deeply. The revelation of the High Holydays is so powerful that we cannot help but feel something.
But to truly experience the glory and the holiness, to allow the sublime revelation of Hashem’s kingship to shine into our souls, we cannot just show up like commoners at the King’s gate. Our seating cards may let us into the Shul, but they do not gain us entry into the palace.
There is a way in and that is the month of Elul, the final month of the year. The month of Elul may not possess the heightened revelations of the High Holy Days and Yomim Tovim, but it is the key to them.
During the month of Elul, the month of Rachamim (Divine mercy), Hashem is present and accessible in our day-to-day lives.
Elul is about self-motivation; to put aside our personal ambitions and affairs and to turn to Hashem and surrender ourselves and accept His Kingship. The mundane experience may not feel as spiritually inspiring, but the reward is worth it for those who make the effort.
Because when we do, the King in the Field receives us with a pleasant face and shows us His joyous countenance. And we gain VIP access to see the King in the palace, with a meaningful, inspired Tishrei and all of the King’s blessings for a Kesiva Vechasima Tova.