A song of such caliber deserves a different kind of introduction, which is why I am proud to present you with an article found in this week’s The Voice of Lakewood (pg. 199) that was brought to my attention earlier this evening by my youngest brother Eli. The excellent essay was written by Yitti Berkovic and paints says it all. So without further ado… Yitti, take it away.
The words in our selichos and our prayers for forgiveness this time of year are certainly very powerful. We may even recite them with profound feelings of remorse. However, and it might be just me, but when we return to the world outside of shul, we may forget the anguish we just felt for having behaved improperly. Therefore, the navi Hoshea (14:3) gives us the remedy, and cautions us in this week’s haftorah – קְחוּ עִמָּכֶם דְּבָרִים וְשׁוּבוּ אֶל ה׳ – That we must take these words with us – even after we have left shul – and work to transform our sincere tefillos into genuine actions of repentance.
Moshe Rabbeinu is telling us that, today – as we find ourselves standing before Hashem, about to experience the ultimate encounter with the Melech Malchei Hamlachim during the Yomim Noraim – we must know there is no Yid beyond redemption – that there is no such thing as being “hopelessly lost.” What incredible chizzuk! No matter how far one may have fallen, no matter how far one may have strayed, Hashem will be there to take him back home.
The Navi Yeshaya is telling us that very soon, yachid v’rabim – every one of us, together – will find our way back to Hashem’s Torah. Very soon, the time will come when we will ALL return to Hashem.
“Mi shetarach b’Erev Shabbos yochal b’Shabbos – One who toils on Erev Shabbos will eat on Shabbos” (Avodah Zara 3a). Erev Shabbos: a special time of the week. Elul: a special month of the year. Combined, they enable us to open the door to our Beloved – to welcome in the Divine. The connection is closer than you think.
In one sentence, Dovid HaMelech shares with us the secret to success, and with it a message of hope to each and every one of us. Achas Shoalti, I have asked Hashem for only one thing – I have but one request. When all is said and done, no matter what distractions I am forced to do battle with today – underneath it all, I am in this fight for one reason, and one reason only.
After people experience a loss r’l, as time passes, they eventually forget some of the pain. The hurt eases and people can eventually move on. However, just as Yaakov Avinu could not be consoled after hearing of Yosef’s demise because really Yosef was still alive, the same is true here. The fact that after nearly two thousand years we have not forgotten the Beis Hamikdash and we are still able to cry over its absence, demonstrates that the Beis Hamikdash is still alive.
This Shabbos, it is especially fitting that we keep in mind the words of Retzei: “…she’lo te’hei tzarah v’yagon va’anacha b’yom menuchaseinu…,” that there be no distress, no grief, no pain or suffering for ourselves or for any of our fellow Yidden, “v’hareinu Hashem Elokeinu b’nechamas Tzion irecha…,” that we merit to bear witness to the ultimate comfort – the nechamas Tzion – with the immediate rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash.
The Music of Tishah B’Av – Part 1 touched upon the essence of music, and how to find relevance in its obvious absence on Tishah B’Av. This year I would like to do just the opposite, and turn our attention to the unique presence of song on this difficult day.
Ki Lecho, one of Abie’s first compositions – the one that he says gave him the confidence to continue composing – ended up being the title track of this 1971 release.