3rd of Tishrei, October 2, 2008
In the Musaf service of Rosh Hashanah, in the section entitled Malchuyos (Kingship), we recite the following verses from Psalm 24: "Raise up your heads, O gates, and be uplifted, you everlasting entrances, so that the King of Honor may enter. Who is this King of Honor? – Hashem, the mighty and strong, Hashem, the strong in battle (v. 7-8)." Rav Soloveitchik explains that the expression "King of Honor" connotes one to whom honor is freely given and one who is willingly accepted as King. This verse appeals to man, asking him to respectfully accept Hashem. But man, rebellious and resistant, responds by saying, "Who is this King of Honor? Why should I accept Him?" In response to this question, the psalmist states that Hashem is a mighty warrior who can coerce man to accept His will. Hashem already governs all of nature; man is subordinate to G-D’s control of the natural world. There is no power struggle between man and G-D; resistance to G-D’s will is futile. But Hashem desires that man voluntarily crown Him, accepting Him as King of the Moral Law as well as the Natural Law. On Rosh Hashanah, G-D affords us the opportunity to freely embrace His dominion, serving Him with love and awe.
Copyright, 2008, Rachel Lerner
Important Numbers
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