When The Prince Honors The King

There is a Halacha in the Shulkhan Arukh that a person’s Rosh Hashana preparations must include a haircut and clean, laundered clothing. This is meant to evoke an image of the groom walking down the canopy. However, if you really think about this law, it seems a little out of place for Rosh Hashana. After all, our sages tell us that Rosh Hashana is the fearsome Day of Universal Judgment! When the Book of Life and the Book of Death lay open in front of Hashem, which thoughtful and sincere man can focus on grooming?

To put this point into perspective, the reader should understand that the Geonim (early sages from the years 600 – 1000 CE) debate whether it is appropriate to hold a voluntary fast on Rosh Hashana. On the one hand, we do fast on Yom Kippur, which is the day in which our Judgment from Rosh Hashana is sealed. On the other hand, however, the verse in Sefer Nehemia records the following regarding the Rosh Hashana during the time of Ezra the Prophet: “Go, eat choice foods and drink sweet drinks … for the day is holy to Hashem. Do not be sad, for your rejoicing in Hashem is the source of your strength (8:10)”. So what is the appropriate mood of the day? The following parable will explain.

There was once a king, who had an only son, whom he loved dearly. He gave him all his attention, raised him, and educated him in all the wisdoms of the world. The king did everything to ensure that the boy would be ready to lead a successful life. As the child grew up, he made bad friends who would influence him to join their criminal exploits. One day, the bad friends convinced the young prince to aid them in a heist of the king’s treasure room. With inside help, the thieves were able to grab many treasures including the king’s crown. On the way out, the thieves were caught by the king’s guards, who sensed that something was off. All of the thieves were placed in a prison, where it eventually became clear that the prince himself was involved in the theft!

The king was informed of the robbery, and quickly held court. When the king recognized his son amongst the thieves, his heart broke. As the king looked form side to side, he met the stern eyes of his ministers, who reminded him that a king cannot dishonor himself and the royal code of law, not even for his son. The ministers argued that if the prince was pardoned, the crime would repeat itself, and the king would be made a mockery of. The king decided to place a hold on the case until he could discover a solution to the dilemma.

The kingdom had a special holiday once a year, where everyone, including the prisoners was invited to the palace for a festive meal. During this meal, it was customary to have a professional musician perform his music for the whole crowd. This year, the festivities had certain somberness because everyone knew that the prince would be seated at the prisoner’s table. Nevertheless, the food was served and the live music began.

At one point in the concert, the prince himself took a violin and announced that he would like to play a song in honor of his father, the king. The prince’s melody captured the entire crowd, with notes that evoked every kind of emotion. At the end of the rendition, the entire crowd clapped and demanded an encore, “again, again” they chanted. Seeing the crowd and reading the mood, the king seized on the moment and announced “Who here believes that such beautiful music honors the king? Can anyone say that the prince doesn’t care for my honor?” The entire crowd said “Surely, such a prince honors the king”.

In this parable, we are the prince who forgets the King’s honor. The prosecuting angel complains “Hashem, these people don’t care for Your Honor!” Hashem waits until Rosh Hashana, when all of creation gathers around in Honor of Hashem, who created Adam on Rosh Hashana. He then Commands us to take the shofar, and blow it in His Honor, and accept Him as the King of Creation. The Jews don’t just blow the shofar once, though. According to the strict law, we only need to blow 9 sounds to fulfill the Mitzvah. However, we blow the shofar many times more than that, to confuse the Satan. We blow 30 sounds sitting, 30 sounds in the silent prayer, another 30 sounds in the recital of the Amidah, 10 sounds in the Titkabal Kaddish, and finally one large blast in the end. We do this form the love of the Mitzvha, with happiness and joy.

After all of Creation hears these sounds of love and happiness and joy, Hashem declares “Who can really believe that My Sons are not interested in My Honor after hearing how they honor My Mitzvoth with such enthusiasm and joy!” At that moment, all the Bet Din Shel Ma’alah (Heavenly Court) agree, and Hashem stands up from his Kisei Ha’Din (attribute of Judgment), and sits on the Kisei Shel Rachamim (attribute of Mercy). Hashem then writes the Jewish people in the Book of Life, and decrees a good year for all of His Children.

In light of the above, it is clear that Rosh Hashana is a day of joy and gladness. Yes, it is a fearsome day, when all of Creation is called into judgment. But it is also the day of the King’s Festival, where the prince is given a chance to honor his Father and declare Him King of the Universe. Who cannot stand in awe upon entering the King’s Palace? But at the same time, we have a special job from the King, and we must do it with the joy which comes from the realization that we are children of the King of the World. I would like to bless all of our readers on behalf of the entire Bukharian Chief Rabbinate, that this year be filled with blessings and joy. May we all merit to a Chatima V’ Ketivah Toavah, Amen v’ Amen.

By Adam Suionov