Ask Hashem

The Selichos prayers, in which we ask Hashem to forgive us on a personal and communal level, are recited before Rosh Hashanah. Ashkenazim begin a minimum of four days before Rosh Hashanah and Sefardim recite the prayers for the entire forty days from the beginning of Elul leading up to Yom Kippur. The prayers begin with Ashrei, and include the “Thirteen Attributes of Mercy” – which Hashem revealed to Moshe as a key to forgiveness – as well as the alphabetical Ashamnu confession.

The second sentence of the Ashrei prayer reads, “Praiseworthy is the people whose G-d is Hashem,” and our Sages teach that it is the foundation of the prayer.

The Torah tells us (Devarim 14:1),“You are children of Hashem,” and the Mishna in Avos (3:14) states, “Beloved are the people of Israel for they are described as children of Hashem.” This statement does not refer only to the nation as a whole; rather, every Jew is a beloved son, endeared to Hashem.

When Hashem tells Moshe (Shemos 19:21),“Warn the people [not to go up the mountain of Sinai because of their longing for Hashem] … and many of them will fall,” Rashi expounds that even if one person will fall it will be considered as if many have fallen.

Similarly, when the Jewish Nation is designated as princes in Shemos (19:6), “You shall be to Me a kingdom of princes,” Rashi cites the pasuk in Shmuel II (8:18),“and Dovid’s sons were kohanim,” that each and every member of the Jewish people is considered an important person on his own account, exalted and chosen as a prince and leader.

Furthermore, we learn (Sanhedrin 44a), “Even when the Jewish people have sinned, they are called Israel.” In Kiddushin (36a)Rabbi Meir says whether or not the Jewish people behave like sons and do the will of Hashem, they are still called sons. He cites various pesukim, to prove his point, as it says (Devarim 32:20),“Sons in whom there is no faithfulness” and (Yirmiyahu 4:22),“They are foolish sons.” Even when they worship idols, they are still considered children of Hashem, as it says (Yeshayah 1:4),“Evil offspring, destructive children, they have forsaken Hashem.”

That is the deeper meaning of the words in Ashrei, “Praiseworthy is the people whose G-d is Hashem.” The greatness of the Jewish people is that even those who sin are held dear by Hashem. Their hearts are awake and thirst for inspiration. They are filled with mitzvos like a pomegranate has seeds.

When the Baal Shem Tov was once traveling with his disciples, they encountered a wealthy person who had not had children for many years, and then in his later years a miracle happened and he merited to have a son.

“You see the joy of this elderly father?” observed the Baal Shem Tov, as the father hugged and embraced his son, holding him tightly without letting him go. “You should know that Hashem loves us even more. There is no limit to Hashem’s love for His nation. He derives tremendous joy and pleasure from every word of prayer, from every word of Torah study, from every mitzvah,every good deed and kindness, even if the individual is lowly.”

A speaker once spoke negatively about the Jewish people, and a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, R’ Dovid, actually pushed him off the podium. The man was very upset and went to the Baal Shem Tov to complain.

The Baal Shem Tov called R’ Dovid for an explanation, and he explained that the speaker had spoken unfavorably about the Jewish people.

The Baal Shem Tov cited Mishlei (3:11),“My son, do not despise the discipline of Hashem” – it is appropriate to give the Jewish people mussar. However, added the Baal Shem Tov with a twinkle in his eye and a play on words, “Do not become upset with My children.”

A person can witness Hashem’s beneficence in this world, particularly during prayer, at which time he is actually conversing with Hashem directly, says the Nesivos Shalom. Hashem listens to every individual’s supplications and requests, just like a friend. One can appeal to his merciful Father for anything, like a child who can request anything from his loving parents.

R’ Yaakov Meir Shechter related the following:

Often when one of the great roshei yeshiva, a leader of the generation, would be learning Torah in his room, others nearby would hear him talking, as if in conversation with someone else. However, they knew that he did not use the phone during his study periods and, as far as they knew, no one else had entered the room.

One individual could not contain his curiosity, and went to stand near a window that looked into the room, to see with whom the rosh yeshiva was speaking. The scene he observed was truly amazing. He heard as the gadol encountered a profound difficulty in his learning which required a deeper understanding of the text. He then heard the rosh yeshiva turn to Hashem and speak to Him as one speaks to a colleague.

“Master of the world, I do not understand the words of Rabbeinu Tam.” He would then specify exactly what his question was. Then he concluded, “Please, Master of the world, illuminate this commentary for me.”

After a few minutes, he would continue to study. Once the question had been clarified in his mind, he would thank Hashem, saying, “Master of the world, I give thanks to You that You have enlightened my eyes, and I have been privileged to understand the words of Rabbeinu Tam.”

Not only did he do this when he was studying the Talmud; he would turn to Hashem concerning other issues as well – matters of spirituality as well as matters dealing with everyday life. He would articulate all his requests, and then when his dilemma was resolved, he would give heartfelt praise to Hashem.