Rosh HaShanah – Rejoice with Trembling
Rosh HaShanah is a strange mix of emotions. The day is almost schizophrenic. Even the melodies of the Chazzan ride up and down an emotional rollercoaster. In the morning, we evoke the fear of the day and exclaim: “…and from the fright of the judgement my soul trembles…” “…Angels will hasten, a trembling and terror will seize them…behold it is the Day of Judgment.” Then we return home from the Synagogue, dip apples in honey and eat a festive meal!
How should we feel on Rosh HaShanah? Is it a day of fear and trembling? A day of Judgement? Or, is it a festival?
The answer is that it is both. And this dialectic is expressed in the halakhik literature.
After discussing the criteria necessary for reciting the Hallel on a festival, the Talmud concludes that it is inappropriate to recite Hallel on Rosh Hashanah:
The ministering angels asked the Holy One Blessed Be He, ‘Master of the World, why does Israel not sing praise before you on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur?’ He said to them, ‘Is it possible that the King sits on his Throne of Judgement and Israel should sing?’ (Arachin 10b; Rosh HaShanah 32b)
We are filled with uncertainty and doubt concerning our fate. How can we sing Hallel? How can we even eat?
Rabbeinu Asher, at the end of his commentary to Chap. 4 of Masechet Rosh HaShanah, discusses the custom that some Geonim record of fasting on Rosh HaShanah. He cites other Geonim who offer a different approach and concludes that Rosh HaShanah is a festival and fasting is inappropriate. (See also Mordechai to Masechet Rosh HaShanah Chap. 1; Tur Orach Chayyim 597 & Beit Yosef, ad loc.; Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayyim 597:1 & Mishnah Brurah, ad loc.)
Many authorities point to a passage in Nehemiah, which seems to capture the appropriate attitude towards Rosh HaShanah. The story goes as follows: On the 1st of the Seventh Month (Rosh HaShanah), Ezra reads the Torah publicly for those who ascended from Bavel. They are shaken when they realize just how foreign the words of the Torah are and how far they have strayed from it. They begin to cry and mourn. Ezra, Nechemiah and the Levites tell them:
‘Today is a holy day to Hashem your God; do not mourn and do not weep.’ For all of the people were weeping as they heard the words of the Torah. He said to them, ‘Go eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, for today is sacred to our God. Do not be sad; the joy of Hashem is your strength. (Nechemiah 8:9-10)
It would seem from this passage that Rosh HaShanah should be celebrated, like all festivals, with festive meals. The prophet suggests in doing so, we provide Hashem with joy.
In the Torah, Rosh HaShanah is included together with all of the other festivals, and just like them considered a “holy convocation”(Vayikra, Chap. 23). It is even called a festival (Psalm 81:4; Rosh HaShanah 18a; Sukkah 55a; Arachin 10b; Sotah 41a). In fact, some Geonim record the custom of incorporating the festival liturgy into the Rosh HaShanah amidah (See Rabbeinu Asher, loc cit).
In addition, the joy of Rosh HaShanah nullifies aveilut, the customs of mourning, just like any festival would (See Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 399:6).
There is a beautiful passage in the Talmud Yerushalmi that expresses our confidence:
…Who is like this Nation? The practice of the world is when one knows that he is awaiting judgement – he wears black, wraps himself in black, grows his beard – for he does not know what the verdict will be. But Israel is not like that. They wear white, wrap themselves in white, trim their beards, eat, drink and rejoice – for they know that the Holy One Blessed Be He will be merciful and forgive them. (Rosh HaShanah 1:3)
But the potential for hubris is tempered. While many authorities instruct us to “eat, drink and rejoice,” we are warned not to go overboard, as indulging too much doesn’t befit the seriousness of the day. (Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayyim 597:1, citing the Agudah). And while we wear our nice clothes, some suggest we should not wear our finest silk or embroidered clothing, settling instead for simple white garments (Turei Zahav to Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayyim 581).
The Psalmist captures the emotions of Rosh HaShanah when he instructs us to “rejoice with trembling” (Psalm 2:11). How is that accomplished? When one stands before Hashem there is tremendous fear, but also tremendous joy. We relate to Hashem both as our king (malkeinu) and our father (avinu).
Rosh HaShanah is a day filled with uncertainty and doubt; fear and trembling. But it is also a festival. And in celebrating it as a festival, we express our confidence; our trust in God.
Reb Shlomo Carlebach once told the following story:
One day, a man was riding the subway on his way home from work. Looking around the subway car, his eyes met the eyes of a woman and he was instantly smitten. He knew that she was his “beshert,” the woman destined to be his bride. This was fate.
Just as he summoned up the courage to approach her, the train stopped at 34th Street, Herald Square. But before he could get to her, she exited and the doors closed on him. He got off at the next stop and ran up the stairs, knocking over anyone in his way. He pushed through the crowd and opened the door to a cab. Ignoring the couple waiting to enter the cab, he yelled at the driver, “take me to 34th Street now!”
As he entered the taxi, a police officer who had witnessed the commotion apprehended the man and began to question him. He tried to explain what was happening, but the cop wouldn’t let him go. The man tried to run off but soon found himself in the back of the squat car – arrested for public disturbance and resisting arrest. He spent that night in jail kicking himself and wondering if he would ever see that woman from the subway.
The next morning, he had to appear before the judge. He was devastated. His name was called and he looked up at the judge. Smiling back at him from behind the bench was the woman from the train.
Indeed, Rosh HaShanah is the Day of Judgement- but we know the judge.
