Malachei Rachamim is a song that encapsulates the powerful emotions of Elul and the Yomim Noraim. From the very first notes, the song sweeps the listener into a place of vulnerability, where we stand before Hashem, fully aware of our shortcomings yet filled with hope for His compassion. The music rises and falls, swelling into an emotional plea, moving from fear to hope, from uncertainty to trust in Hashem’s kindness.
There’s no need to adjust your screens or visit your optometrist, this really is a new JMN post. Over the past couple months, I have been silently grappling with the oft sung Talmudic dictum, “Mishenichnas Adar Marbim B’simcha.” Commenting on the words of the Mishnah...
Good afternoon, dear friends. As is still the case, it has been hard enough trying to describe the mix of emotions that we have been experiencing, let alone trying to keep track of when is and isn’t an appropriate time to feel that way. We go from shiva call to sheva...
I write this with tremendous hesitation. To be honest, the fact that you are reading this means that I was able to push aside the little voice inside my head - and perhaps the voice of better judgment - telling me NOT to send this out. For those who may not have...
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 song, like its message, is timeless, so let’s remember never to forget it. Lo tishkach!
The Yidden proclaimed, וַאֲנִי בְּחַסְדְּךָ בָטַחְתִּי יָגֵל לִבִּי בִּישׁוּעָתֶךָ – My enemies think that there is no one to save me, but I trust in Your infinite kindness, my heart will rejoice in Your salvation. אָשִׁירָה לְהַשֵּׁם כִּי גָמַל עָלָי – I will sing to Hashem because he has dealt kindly with me (Tehillim 13:6)!
Asaf davens to Hashem to restore Klal Yisroel to the Land – to reestablish His vineyard, to protect it and draw it near to Him once again.
Why do we bid such a fast farewell to these friendly malachim. After all, they just arrived, not to mention have just finished bestowing blessings onto our homes! I mean, if the malachim want to stay, would we really have a problem with that? Wouldn’t we prefer that they stick around, or at least stay as long as they’d like? Why, after just welcoming in, would we proceed to show them the proverbial door?
Parshas Ha’azinu teaches us that words without music are like a body without a soul. So yes, Moshe Rabbeinu takes leave. Days pass and years go by, but the song of Torah remains forever.