When The Prince Honors The King

Fear? Respect? Love? Terror? What emotions should we feel as we approach the King of the Universe in the month immediately preceding Rosh Hashana? What mindset should we have on the day when Life and the quality of living hang in the balance? We may find ourselves asking what the King wants from us at this time; the following parable can 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 wrong. 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 and feeling. 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 forgot about the King’s honor. The prosecuting angel complains “Hashem, these people don’t care for Your Honor, judge them harshly!” But Hashem waits until Rosh Hashana, when all of creation gathers around in Honor of Hashem. He then Commands us to take the shofar, and blow it in His Honor, and accept Him as the King of Creation. We don’t just blow the shofar once. We sound it over and over, many times more than required by the strict letter of the law. 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!” 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.

 By Adam Suionov