The King is in the Field
At the start of the pandemic, I received a remarkable email from Brandon Steiner, Founder of Steiner Sports Agency. The message began with these words: “Over the past 7 or so years, I have posted over 2,500 blogs. Last week's blog, 'What if you could talk to G-d? My question for all of you is - if you could have a conversation with G-d, what would you say? What questions would you have?’ had the most responses I have ever had!"
It brought to mind the Midrashic statement, “We are believers, the sons of believers”. This is true at all times but especially pertinent during challenging moments.
We each have a unique relationship with G-d and the ability to communicate and express our thoughts, requests and gratitude every day of the year. At the same time, there are certain moments or periods of the year when we are more in touch with the G-dly energy manifest in the world and feel closer to G-d.
Today we celebrate Rosh Chodesh, the start of the new month of Elul, ushering in the High Holiday season. While it is universally known as a period of retrospection, stocktaking, reflection, repentance, and prayer, it is also a time when we have unlimited access to request and be granted all of our needs for a good and sweet new year ahead.
One of the acronyms for the word Elul is the verse from the Song of Songs, “Ani l'dodi v'dodi li”, meaning "I am to my beloved, and my beloved is to me". There is a fascinating parable shared by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1813) which describes our relationship with G-d during the current month of Elul and the High Holiday season:
“During the entire year, when the king is in his palace, for most there is no possibility for an audience with the king. Even of those who hope and apply for an audience, only a select few are actually granted one. There comes a time, however, when the king is not in the capital city; he is out in the field. While there, every one of his subjects can go to greet him. The king graciously receives every single one of them and shows a happy and radiant face, granting them their requests. They then escort him to the city. He enters his palace, where at that moment, once again, only a select few are granted an audience. Returning with the king, though, the dedicated subjects who greeted the king are now part of that exclusive group, and are granted an audience with the king in his throne room.”
This parable parallels our relationship with G‑d during the High Holiday season. Throughout the entire year, G‑d is compared to a king in the palace. In His great love for us, during the month of Elul G‑d goes out to the fields, making Himself available to all. This outpouring of love uplifts and encourages, even those of us who may feel very distanced due to our actions. When we see how G‑d graciously receives us in the field, smiling and granting our requests, we resolve to once again reconnect and conduct ourselves in a manner befitting a loyal subject of the King. And then, come the High Holidays, we escort the King back to the capital and settle there once again, and actually join Him in His inner chamber.
One may wonder, isn’t it disrespectful to expect G-d to come out to us in the field while we are busy occupying ourselves with our daily lives, work or other seemingly mundane chores? Shouldn't we at least make the effort to speak to G-d in a more spiritually uplifting environment?
Perhaps a similar question may be asked during this Pandemic. While synagogues and Jewish centers around the world were forced to temporarily close or hold limited services, do we have the same access and ability to pray and connect to G-d as usual?
Of course, it is important to attend services, Torah classes and make the effort to personally connect and celebrate with our Jewish community whenever possible, as Maimonides states, "The prayers of the community are always listened to”. But at the same time, the Torah teaches us that G-d is very much present in our homes, offices, and personal lives as well.
More so, the purpose of the entire creation is that we “Make a home for G-d in the lowest world (Midrash)”. Meaning, by infusing our daily lives and personal surroundings with meaning, spirituality and joy we are fulfilling the ultimate intent of creation in the greatest way possible.
This is why G‑d comes to the field, and so loves when we receive Him there. His desire to be manifest in the “lowest world” is symbolized by the fact that He leaves the palace and goes into the lowly “field,” where His people accept Him as their king.
May you be inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet new year!
