Whatever prayers are said, the words should be said slowly and with sincerity. A person, standing before a mortal king, would certainly not mumble his petition, how much more so in the presence of the King of kings. It is far better to say a little with intent, than much without intent.
Throughout the Ten Days of Repentance we say Chapter 130 of Psalms before Borchu. This chapter commences with the words, "Out of the depths I call to You, 0 Lord".
The kabbalists explain that there are ten 'depths' within the soul. On each day, we dig deeper and deeper into our souls, culminating in a revelation of our very essence, yechida, during the Neilah prayer of Yom Kippur.
Although it is important to understand what one is saying, still more important is the sincerity with which the words are addressed.
There is a famous story of Reb Zvi Kitzkes. whom the Baal Shem Tov had instructed to learn all the hidden meanings of the Shofar, so that when he blew the shofar he would be able to have them in mind.
Reb Zvi spent much time learning these meanings and wrote them down on a piece of paper which he intended reading as he blew the shofar. When the time for blowing the shofar arrived, he suddenly realized that the paper was missing, and he burst out crying, as he would now not be able to concentrate on the inner meanings.
Later on the Baal Shem Tov told him the following parable. A king had a palace with many rooms, each one with its own key. The key of one room could not open another. There was however one key which could open all the doors. That was the axe. The tears which you shed before blowing the shofar was the master key which opened all the heavenly gates.
Crying during the Ten Days of Repentance is spiritually very healthy. The famous kabbalist, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, said that if one does not cry during these days it is a sign that one's soul is so distant from G-d that it doesn't even feel the pain of separation from Him. That, indeed, is something to cry about.
Nevertheless, the solemn atmosphere of Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur should be tempered with a spirit of joy and confidence.
With this in mind, the custom arose in many communities to wear white clothes as an expression of trust that G-d will whiten our sins.
The importance of joy, despite a feeling of trepidation, cannot be over stated. At a simcha, a king is more approachable than at other times. Similarly, through joy we gain easier access to G-d.
Even on Yom Kippur, while saying the al chet (confessions), one should not be overly melancholy.
Someone was once heard saying the al chet with a melodious tune. Upon being asked why, he explained:
"If a person is given the privilege of sweeping out the king's palace should he not rejoice? My body, as a temple of my Divine soul, belongs to G-d. Through my sins I have caused it to be contaminated. Now that G-d has given me the opportunity of cleansing it through repentance should I not rejoice?"
Each evening we recite in our prayers, "His Kingship, they willingly accepted upon themselves. Moses and the Children of Israel, with great joy, raised their voices in song to You."
May we, too, accept G-d's Kingship willingly and with great joy.
Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM
Welcome to the Sandra Bransky Library & Youth Synagogue, located on the first floor and including the Beit Midrash. Drop in any Sunday morning between 9 - 11am.