On the High Holy Days

Services are long.

As we cross the threshold of another year, we consider our presence during the season. What are appropriate expectations of our prayers? What is reasonable? What is unreasonable? In the end, we will ask of Him everything. All our hopes and aspirations lie before the Holy One. But what is the right path?  The holiest prayer we bring to God?

There is a discussion of prayer in the Talmud that is preceded by a brief description of the Hurban, the destruction of the Temple.  There, Rabbi Chanina opined to the question of whether our prayers are worthy of being heard by God.  In case they are unworthy because we may be distracted Rabbi Chiyya tells us to study Torah in the hopes that this will elevate our consciousness.  What happens if that does not work? he asks. Then try again; this time with greater fervency. (Berachot 32b)

This frank and human discussion wonders whether we can find the words to penetrate the highest spheres of heaven.

A parable. There once was a king who lived in an immense castle. Many were the entrances to his abode yet only one revealed the true way to the monarch. To confuse foes and attackers the king constructed the castle with only one real entrance.  Even that entrance took so many twists and turns that only the experienced person could gain access to the king.  Merely to have byways explained would not suffice, for a traveler had to be familiar with the passageways.

It happened yet the prince went on the long voyage and did not return for many years.    Having claimed great victories the proud son returned home. However as the prince approached the castle he discovered much to his chagrin that he forgotten the route to his father. As hard as he tried, the maze of entrances and side excursions defied his memory.

So too, we enter these days of awe; strangers to our Father’s palace. Familiarity lurks in every crevice and around each corner. But the mazes are too difficult to see your way through. There are too many distractions. Too many opportunities for choosing the wrong path.

Which is the way to HaKadosh Baruch Hu?  Do we extract meaning from the ancient rituals and service?

We turn the heart to prayer itself. We venture into the celestial chamber with no baggage, no threats or promises, no requests or indictments. God does not want claims made on Him before we even draw close. It must be enough to enter into his domain.

The spiritual longing for the Holy One will direct our hearts toward the truth. Love and devotion requires no personal gain, although we are always beneficiaries. We are not thoughtful to those whom we love for any obvious goal. It is enough that we love.  Once we have directed ourselves towards Him the passage becomes easier, more accessible. The illumination provided by the first journey will enable us to make other journeys. Once we have found the palace, there is comfort that we can locate it when we need it most of all. 

And if our success is not ours to claim at the first do not give up. The king’s son must try it again and again to find the correct entry point.  Above all, “Hope in the Lord and be strong. Let your heart take courage, hope in the Lord.”