Parshat Ki Teitzei
September 9, 2000 - 9 Elul 5760

Last week, we discussed a number of simple ways to begin to get mentally prepared for the High Holidays: hauling out (or buying) the Rosh Hashanah prayer book (Machzor) and browsing through it, reflecting on one's larger purpose in life, increasing and deepening the practice of formal and informal prayer, Interestingly, though I wasn't quite sure how I felt about the advice-proffering mode, I ended up getting several favorable comments on the piece--maybe because people just inherently prefer the practical to the theoretical, or maybe (I hope) because people share my desire to…finally, once and for all…begin preparing for an important event (in this case, Rosh Hashanah) well in advance of the actual date. 

First, the bad news: I didn't completely live up to my end of the bargain.  I did get down my Machzor, and I began reading some of the prayers ("This day was established from time immemorial for judgment, to examine every day's deed, when all existence approaches the Awesome One…").  Perhaps, on the whole, there was also a slight upward trend in my depth of concentration in prayer--though the analysts were more cautious than upbeat on this.  As for introspection and greater kindness towards my fellow Jews, well, to paraphrase George W. Bush, I'm going to have to attempt to re-tool my campaign.

But the good news is that there are still a full three weeks left before the apples hit the honey, and that's plenty of time to turn around the poll numbers.  Elul has only just begun.  I'll try to do better in the coming week. 

Which brings us to our topic, and more helpful advice.  There's one prayer in our daily service which, even more than the rest, tends to be rushed through rather disgracefully--at least on weekday mornings.  It comes at the end, when many are already hurriedly putting away their tefillin and scurrying out to their day's business.  Yet our Sages placed it at the conclusion of the services precisely because its crucial theme should be fresh in our minds and hearts as we transition to the workaday world outside the synagogue.  In the words of one of our great legal commentators, this prayer is meant "to fix firmly in our hearts, before we depart to our homes, the unity of the Kingdom of Heaven, and to strengthen in our hearts the faith that He will remove all forms of idolatry from the earth…"  (Bach, Orach Chayim: 133)   

Another great halakhic authority instructs us to say this prayer "with fear and awe, because all the hosts of heaven are listening, and the Holy One, Blessed be He, stands with His heavenly court, and all of them speak up and respond: 'Fortunate is the people…for whom Hashem is G-d."  (Mishna Berurah: 132, 2, 8)  

Now that we know there's a specific (and distinguished) audience listening to this little prayer, maybe it would be wise to slow down our recitation from here on in. 

What prayer are we talking about, and what is its connection to our theme of preparation for the High Holy Days?  

Aleinu, of course.   Rabbinic sources say it was first composed by Joshua prior to leading the Jewish people into the Holy Land (though it may have been edited later by the Talmudic sage, Rav).  Not only does Aleinu highlight one of the most prominent themes of Rosh Hashanah--G-d's absolute Kingship (Malchus) over every aspect of Creation, including our  individual lives and worldly fortunes--, but it also actually plays an important role in the Rosh Hashanah service itself. Long before it became incorporated into the daily prayer service (sometime in the Middle Ages), Aleinu held an important place in the liturgy of Rosh Hashanah, introducing the section of the Musaf service that focuses on G-d's Kingship.  It remains there today, as you will see when you open your Machzor.  

So, by taking some time in the next few weeks to peruse Aleinu (calmly, over a cup of coffee…or herbal tea) and reflect on its themes, you will both be preparing for Rosh Hashanah and deepening your appreciation of a crucial component of our daily prayers.  

Before I leave you with the text, I'll just point out one thing worth noting.  There is a definite contrast in tone between the two paragraphs of Aleinu.  The first paragraph stresses the difference between the Jewish people and the nations of the world with regard to our conception of G-d, and our role in the world; our "chosen" status is highlighted, and defined (in part) by our special obligation, throughout our lives, to ascribe greatness and majesty to G-d and to G-d alone.  Lest we, however, conclude mistakenly that the Torah and its message (not to mention its Giver) are concerned with the fate of the Jewish people alone, the second paragraph comes along and stresses the all-inclusive and universalistic goal of Judaism: the eradication of evil from the earth, and the unification of all mankind in serving the One true G-d.  As Rabbi Eli Munk writes in The World of Prayer, our separation from the nations is for the sake of preserving "the idea of monotheism unadulterated, till this idea should some day become the common possession of all men." (p. 27) 

The world coming together as one: we've heard it before in nice dreamy pop songs, and even in the mouths of world leaders at U.N. summits.  But I feel more secure putting my faith in the words of Aleinu, and in the similar expressions of the Rosh Hashanah service, than in well-meaning secular approximations of messianic longings.

May the words of Aleinu (appearing below, in the Artscroll translation) inspire us in our continuing preparations for the awesome day of Rosh Hashanah that is quickly approaching.  And at least on Shabbos, we can try to say it as deliberately as it deserves. 

"It is our duty (Aleinu) to praise the Master of all, to ascribe greatness to the Molder of primeval creation, for He has not made us like the nations of the Lands, and has not emplaced us like the families of the earth; for He has not Assigned our portion like theirs nor our lot like all their multitudes.  But we Our knees, bow, and acknowledge our thanks before the King Who reigns over Kings, the Holy One, Blessed is He.  He stretches out heaven and establishes Earth's foundation, the seat of His homage is in the heavens above and His Powerful Presence is in the loftiest heights.  He is our G-d and there is none Other.  True is our King, there is nothing beside Him, as it is written in His Torah: 'You are to know this day and take to your heart that Hashem is the only G-d-in heaven above and on the earth below-there is none other.'

Therefore, we put our hope in You, Hashem our G-d, that we may soon see Your mighty splendor, to remove detestable idolatry from the earth, and false Gods will be utterly cut off, to perfect the universe through the Almighty's Sovereignty.  Then all humanity will call upon Your Name, to turn all the Earth's wicked toward You.  All the world's inhabitants will recognize and Know that to You every knee should bend, every tongue should swear.  Before You, Hashem, our G-d, they will bend every knee and cast themselves down And to the glory of Your name they will render homage, and they will all Accept upon themselves the yoke of Your Kingship that You may reign over Them soon and eternally.  For the Kingdom is Yours and You will reign for all Eternity in glory as it is written in Your Torah:  'Hashem shall reign for all Eternity.'  And it is said: 'Hashem will be King over all the world-on that day, Hashem will be One and His Name will be One.'" 

   
DON'T MISS THE RETURN OF THE JEWISH MEDICAL ETHICS LUNCHEON THIS COMING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH, AT 12:15P.M. IN CONFERENCE ROOM E OF MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER.  CALL ME AT 351-0469 IF YOU WANT TO ORDER A LUNCH.