Rosh Kollel's Message, Rosh Hashanah 5785
Tekiyah, teruah, tekiyah.
Typically, when Rosh Hashanah approaches we need to be reminded of how serious this day of judgement is by recalling some of the tragedies that took place in the past year. This year we need not be reminded, as we’ve been ever so aware of the ongoing challenges that have taken place in our beloved Eretz Yisroel. For almost one year we have been watching from afar the events that have continuously tested our brethren in Hashem’s Land, both physically and spiritually, and also experiencing from up close the challenges we are facing here in the Diaspora. We know this is a message for us. We know and believe that all of it was decided on Rosh Hashanah of 5784.
The Torah commands us to blow trumpets on two different occasions: on a day of joy, such as yom tov or rosh chodesh, and when we are at war against our enemies. Rav Elyashiv, zt”l, points out an important difference between these two sounding of the horns. One is “u’sekatem bachatzotzros,” a tekiyah sound when celebrating a festival. A sound of joy and happiness. One the other hand, the trumpet sound when faced with a challenge of battle, the Torah says, “vahareiosem bachatzotzros,” a teruah sound which indicates crying and trepidation. These two distinct blasts, a tekiyah and teruah, points out Rav Elyashiv, zt”l are the two we blow on Rosh Hashanah. This tells us that Rosh Hashanah is both a joyous occasion, a yom tov, and a day of trepidation, one where are begging for Hashem’s mercy.
Taking this one step further we can suggest that the two sounds of the shofar are really intertwined with one another. The tekiyah sound with which we signify our acceptance of our King, HAMELECH, gives us cause for trembling that perhaps we have not lived up to the expectation the King has for us. This trembling results in the teruah, those wailing, short shofar blasts, crying out to our Father in Heaven that we want to serve Him Alone and we are ready to accept upon ourselves His kingship once again. Then we return to the tekiyah, the single calming sound of a joyous blast. This dichotomy of feeling is something a Yid is used to, something he can unify into one mind and one heart. Dovid Hamelech expresses in tehillim (56, 4) “yom irah, ani eleicha evtach.” “When I am afraid – I place my trust in You.” Our fear, even of judgement, should never paralyze us; rather it should bring us closer with Hashem. Rosh Hashanah, a day of judgement, is also a day of joy. Tekiyah, teruah, tekiyah.
Tekiyah, teruah, tekiyah.
Typically, when Rosh Hashanah approaches we need to be reminded of how serious this day of judgement is by recalling some of the tragedies that took place in the past year. This year we need not be reminded, as we’ve been ever so aware of the ongoing challenges that have taken place in our beloved Eretz Yisroel. For almost one year we have been watching from afar the events that have continuously tested our brethren in Hashem’s Land, both physically and spiritually, and also experiencing from up close the challenges we are facing here in the Diaspora. We know this is a message for us. We know and believe that all of it was decided on Rosh Hashanah of 5784.
The Torah commands us to blow trumpets on two different occasions: on a day of joy, such as yom tov or rosh chodesh, and when we are at war against our enemies. Rav Elyashiv, zt”l, points out an important difference between these two sounding of the horns. One is “u’sekatem bachatzotzros,” a tekiyah sound when celebrating a festival. A sound of joy and happiness. One the other hand, the trumpet sound when faced with a challenge of battle, the Torah says, “vahareiosem bachatzotzros,” a teruah sound which indicates crying and trepidation. These two distinct blasts, a tekiyah and teruah, points out Rav Elyashiv, zt”l are the two we blow on Rosh Hashanah. This tells us that Rosh Hashanah is both a joyous occasion, a yom tov, and a day of trepidation, one where are begging for Hashem’s mercy.
Taking this one step further we can suggest that the two sounds of the shofar are really intertwined with one another. The tekiyah sound with which we signify our acceptance of our King, HAMELECH, gives us cause for trembling that perhaps we have not lived up to the expectation the King has for us. This trembling results in the teruah, those wailing, short shofar blasts, crying out to our Father in Heaven that we want to serve Him Alone and we are ready to accept upon ourselves His kingship once again. Then we return to the tekiyah, the single calming sound of a joyous blast. This dichotomy of feeling is something a Yid is used to, something he can unify into one mind and one heart. Dovid Hamelech expresses in tehillim (56, 4) “yom irah, ani eleicha evtach.” “When I am afraid – I place my trust in You.” Our fear, even of judgement, should never paralyze us; rather it should bring us closer with Hashem. Rosh Hashanah, a day of judgement, is also a day of joy. Tekiyah, teruah, tekiyah.