Likkutei Sichos, vol. 19 Rosh Hashanah – 6 Tishrei
A. Pious or Drunk?
In the haftarah of the first day of Rosh Hashanah we read the story of Hannah, who was barren. She entered the Mishkan overwhelmed with emotion and poured out her soul before G-d. Eli the Kohen, who saw her lips moving but could not hear her voice, mistakenly thought she was drunk. Hannah clarified that she was not, but rather that she was praying to G-d and asking for a son (Source 1).
The Rebbe asks:
- How is it possible that a holy man like Eli could make such a serious mistake and not recognize that Hannah was praying, instead thinking she was drunk
- And even if we understand his mistake, why is it important for the Torah to tell us this, something that seems to detract from Eli the Kohen’s honor?
B. What Do We Pray for on Rosh Hashanah?
In the Rosh Hashanah prayers we focus on two themes that seem to contradict one another: on the one hand, prayers and requests for all of a person’s needs, both physical and spiritual; and on the other hand, the primary theme of the service is the coronation of G-d as King over the world—something that requires total nullification of personal desire and complete acceptance of the yoke of Heaven.
The coronation of G-d as King on Rosh Hashanah is a direct continuation of the beginning of creation: Adam gathered all the creatures together and, along with them, proclaimed G-d as King over the world (Source 2).
How is it possible to combine two opposite matters—complete nullification in the coronation of the King, where there is no place for personal needs at all, and at the same time, personal requests, including for physical matters?
C. Material that is Spiritual
The explanation:
When we ask on Rosh Hashanah for our physical needs, our inner request is to fulfill the purpose of creation: the revelation of G-d’s Kingship in the world, through elevating the Divine sparks that are embedded in material things. Our requests flow from complete self-nullification to do G-d’s will.
The Baal Shem Tov explains the verse: “Hungry and also thirsty, their soul enwraps itself within them.” The body’s hunger for food actually stems from the soul’s desire to elevate the Divine sparks contained within the food. Similarly, when we ask for material things on Rosh Hashanah, in truth and in essence, our request is our soul’s desire to fulfill the ultimate purpose—making a dwelling place for G-d in this world—even if outwardly it seems otherwise.
This also explains we are more moved by the passages of the prayers that speak about our needs (“Who will live and who will die”) than by those that speak about Kingship (“Reign over the entire world”). This is not because we are more materialistic, but because this is G-d’s intent—that the ultimate purpose be fulfilled specifically in this physical world. Our soul senses this, and therefore those prayers touch us more deeply.
The conduct of the Baal Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe proves this: in his early years the Baal Shem Tov was occupied with the material well-being of Jews, and so too the Alter Rebbe (Source 4). Only afterward did they begin to care for their spiritual well-being. For, as explained, first one provides for physical needs, so that from them can come spiritual growth. They learned this from G-d Himself, Who for 26 generations sustained His creations with kindness, and only afterward gave the Torah.
The story of Hannah and Eli, explained:
Eli thought Hannah was too focused on her personal needs while standing before G-d. He considered this improper—like wine, which is beneficial in moderation but harmful in excess. But Hannah explained that her prayer was not “drunkenness,” but rather a deep outpouring of her soul and a desire for a son who would be entirely dedicated to G-d and His mission. Indeed, Samuel, the son she eventually bore, grew up in the Mishkan and became a prophet of G-d (Source 5).
Takeaway:
On Rosh Hashanah, when we ask for material things, it is not a selfish request but rather an expression of our soul’s desire to fulfill the Divine purpose for which it descended into this world. And just as Hannah’s prayer was answered, so we are all assured that G-d will fulfill our good requests, for a good and sweet year.
