If religion is about discovering our purpose for existence, then how does our own religion, Judaism, answer this question?
There is a statement in our siddur (our prayerbook) that provides the solution. It's the Aleynu. It was composed some time in the early Third Century by the one of the leading scholars of the generation, Abba Arekha, better know simply as Rav, or "Master". Rav lived most of his life in Babylonia, but he was a student of Rabbi Judah HaNasi, the leader of the Jewish Community in Palestine, who made the decision to commit the "Oral Law" (Torah sheB'al Peh) into writing. This great and holy work exists to this day and is called the Mishnah. If it weren't for that decision, it is quite certain that Judaism would no longer exist. Rav belonged to the first generation of scholars who are mentioned in the pages of the Talmud. They are referred to as Amora'im. Their primary task was to analyze the terse statements of the Mishnah and help later generations understand the complex and intricate system of law which the Mishnah summarized. It was only through such careful analysis that this body of law which was encyclopedic in scope, could become applied in practical way.
Rav composed the Aleynu to be recited as part of the Shofar Service that is the essence of Musaph on Rosh HaShannah. (Musaph is generally recited following the Reading of the Torah. It is only recited on Shabbat, the New Moon and Festivals. It comes to symbolize the unique sacrifices of those special days commanded in Numbers, chapters 28 and 29. Aleynu introduces the part of the Shofar Service called Malchuyot (Kingships) where ten Biblical verses are recited: four from the Torah, three from the Prophets and three from the Writings. Each of these verses makes reference to God's Sovereignty. Even though Aleynu was initially to be recited only at this time of the year, the beautiful way in which it expressed the ultimate purpose of Judaism was so powerful that it found it's way into the conclusion of every single service! In this way, the Jewish people would always remember why their religion existed, despite all the challenges made by gentiles to its principles and faced by its adherents. Understanding just how pervasive and threatening these challenges were will help us understand the opening statement of the Aleynu.
Permit me to translate the piece in the hopes of conveying the spirit of the original Hebrew:
It is upon us to praise the Lord of all;
to attribute greatness to the One who shaped Creation,
since He did not make us like the (other) nations of the lands;
nor place us like the families of the ground;
since He did not make our destiny like theirs,
nor our lot like their entire multitude.
But we bow down, prostrate and declare our profound acknowledgment
before the King, King of kings
the Holy One, blessed be He.
Since He spreads our the Heavens
and places the Earth on its foundations:
The abode of His Splendor is in the Heavens above,
and the Divine Presence of His Power is in the Exalted Heights.
He is our God, there is nothing else.
Our King is Truth, there is nothing beside Him.
As is written in His Torah: "And you should understand today,
and take to your heart, that Ad-nai, He is the God
in the Heavens above and on the earth below,
there is nothing besides.
For this reason we will hope in You, Lord our God,
to see speedily the splendor of Your power,
to eradicate idolatry from the earth
so that false gods will be utterly destroyed;
To perfect the world through the Divine Rule,
So that all flesh will call on Your Name;
to turn around all the wicked of the earth to face You.
All the inhabitants of the earth will recognize and understand
that to You every knee must bend;
Every tongue must swear.
Before You, Lord our God, they will bow down and fall;
And to the Glory of your Name, they will attribute esteem;
And all of them will accept the Yoke of your Kingdom
so that You reign over them, speedily, forever.
For the Kingdom is Yours
and You shall reign over it eternally in Glory.
As is written in Your Torah:
"The Lord will reign forever and ever."
And it is (also) written:
"The Lord will be King over all the earth.
On that day the Lord will be One
and His name, 'One.'"
For one who senses the Presence of God deeply in his or her heart, this vision of Rav is profoundly moving. It represents the purpose for which humanity was created; an attainable goal for which we strive as individual members of the Covenant of Abraham, and a goal that is also potentially attainable by humanity. It takes looking within and without!
Mazel tov to Linda and Fred Makler on the birth of a grandson, Harley Ezra Bradshaw on Wednesday, August 4th in Los Angeles. Hearty congratulations go to Harley's parents Debi and Sean Bradshaw. The bris took place in Los Angeles this past Thursday since the baby was born at 10:57 p.m. (the following day according to Jewish Law.) We wish Fred and Linda much joy and the opportunity to spend much time with Harley.
... and may this Shabbat bring tranquility and joy into your life. |
