Shabbat Forshpeis
A Taste of Torah in Honor of Shabbat
A ROSH HASHANAH REFLECTION
THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF THE PRESENT
SEPTEMBER 27-28, 2003 / 1-2 TISHREI 5764
In one of this week's portions, God declares
We live in a world where people emphasize history their past, or the future their hopes and dreams. Sometimes it seems that it is hard to figure out if the present ever really exists because after anticipating a particular event it passes in a mere instant and becomes a memory.
Interestingly, in every Shabbat portion read between the Ninth of Av and Yom Kippur, the word Ha-Yom (today) appears. Perhaps, the most famous is in the portion we read just last Shabbat where the Jewish nation is told "You are standing this day (Ha-Yom) all of you before the Lord your God." (Deuteronomy 29:9)
Indeed, the Rosh Hashanah service reaches its crescendo as we recite the famous Ha-Yom prayer, which states, "May you strengthen us this day (Ha-Yom), may you bless us this day (Ha-Yom)."
The word Ha-Yom may remind us that sometimes one has the chance to change the world today; but if one misses that chance, the opportunity may be lost forever.
For me, the narrative, which most powerfully teaches this idea is the binding of Isaac story, which, uncoincidentally, is read on Rosh Hashanah. Consider the image of Avraham (Abraham), Yitzhaks (Isaacs) father who was old enough to be his grandfather, taking his son to Moriah. After a three-day trek Avraham binds Yitzhak, lifts his knife and is prepared to slaughter him.
Now consider the second image. An angel of God appears at a distance, intent upon interceding. As I become older, I have started to read this story with a different perspective. Now that I am a father and grandfather, I often worry whether the angel will intervene in time.
When mentioning this to one of my students, she responded, "Youve missed the point rebbe angels always make it on time, people dont."
No doubt, Ha-Yom teaches that when performing an action we should consider how it is influenced by the past and impacts on the futur emerging into the present deed.
No doubt, also, Ha-Yom teaches us to hold on to the good times. Those moments come, and go too quickly.
But in this season Ha-Yom reminds us of the importance of proper timing. In the words of the rabbis, "Do not say when I have time I will do, lest that time never come."
What an appropriate message especially on Rosh Hashanah, the day of remembrance and repentance that emphasizes our being given a second chance. Ha-Yom reminds us that sometimes the second chance, a possible transformative opportunity, arises only once Ha-Yom.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Avi Weiss
|
|
|
