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<div style="text-align: justify;">I was recently discussing the ideas in my essay "<a href="http://www.aishdas.org/asp/2005/09/coronating-g-d.shtml">Coronating G-d</a>". In it I utilized the Vilna Gaon's distinction between a <span style="font-style: italic;">melekh</span> (king) and a <span style="font-style: italic;">mosheil</span>. A <span style="font-style: italic;">melekh</span> rules with the support of his people, a <span style="font-style: italic;">mosheil</span> rules by strength. I suggested that the reason why accepting Hashem as <span style="font-style: italic;">Melekh</span> is such a central part of Rosh haShanah is that a <span style="font-style: italic;">Melekh</span> has more room for mercy. By accepting Him as king ourselves, we enter the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah without the need for Hashem to impose His Will despite us.<br /><br />The person I was talking to asked what should have been an obvious question. "Okay, so how do we go about doing that?" And I surprised myself by realizing I didn't know. How can I have ever said Shema, a <span style="font-style: italic;">tefillah</span> described as <span style="font-style: italic;">qabbalas ol malkhus Shamayim</span> (accepting the yoke of [the One in] heaven), and not know what it is I'm supposed to be doing?<br /><br />So, I put some thought to the subject.<br /><br />Looking at Shema, we start by joining the community of Jewish (<span style="font-style: italic;">Shema Yisrael</span>), and then proclaiming that despite our disparate perceptions of Him, Hashem is one and unique. This is an awareness of G-d's uniqueness and power. True of a <span style="font-style: italic;">melekh</span> or a <span style="font-style: italic;">mosheil</span>, although here we're actively acknowledging it. We accept the fact of Hashem's rule.<br /><br />And then, before the list of pragmatic <span style="font-style: italic;">mitzvos</span> for keeping this message an active part of our day, we are told to "Love Hashem with all your heart (<span style="font-style: italic;">kol levavekha</span>), all your soul, and all your resources." Willingly bowing to that rule. This is the step of which we're speaking, the shift from realizing Hashem is <span style="font-style: italic;">Mosheil</span> to accepting Him as our <span style="font-style: italic;">Melekh.</span><br /><br />Chazal comment (and quoted by Rashi) perhaps on the word "<span style="font-style: italic;">kol</span>", perhaps on the use of the two-<span style="font-style: italic;">veis</span> word for heart "<span style="font-style: italic;">levavekha</span>" rather than "<span style="font-style: italic;">libekha</span>", that this is with both of our inclinations -- our good inclination and our evil one.<br /><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;">... veyishtachavu lefanekha kol haberu'im,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">veyei'asu kulam agudah achas la'asos Retzonekh beleivav shaleim,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">kemo sheyadanu, H' E-lokeinu, shehashalton/shehashilton lefanekha...<br /><br /></span>... and all those who were created will bow before you, and they will all be made into a single union to do Your Will with a whole heart. For as we know, Hashem our G-d, that the rule/scepter is before You...<br /><div style="text-align: right;">- <span style="font-style: italic;">Amidah</span> for <span style="font-style: italic;">Yamim Nora'im</span><br /></div></blockquote>Bowing before Hashem because we acknowledge His rule is obvious. However, note again that this global union of worship is "with the whole heart", a two-<span style="font-style: italic;">veis</span> heart. Both inclinations. This to is because we know that He rules. But how does that cause us to engage our baser inclinations?<br /><br />On Shabbos we say, "<span style="font-style: italic;">Yismekhu beMalkhusekha shomerei Shabbos veqor'ei oneg...</span> -- They shall rejoice in Your Kingship, those who keep Shabbos and call it pleasure.." It's not enough to keep Shabbos. To be happily a subject of Hashem as King, we must find it an <span style="font-style: italic;">oneg</span>, a pleasure.<br /><br />It would seem that qabbalas ol malkhus Shamayim involves accepting the idea that following His plan is what is best for you life. Not just fulfilling the <span style="font-style: italic;">mitzvos</span>, but seeking to do so <span style="font-style: italic;">beleivav shaleim</span> and with <span style="font-style: italic;">qeri'as oneg</span>.<br /><br />How does one do it? I must start with the first mitzvah that I don't do and think I can. And with the first mitzvah I do begrudgingly and search the sources and the experiences it brings me to find its beauty. Then the second...<br /><br />That is working toward the day when our <span style="font-style: italic;">teshuvah</span> is rewarded, and "<span style="font-style: italic;">vehayah Hashem leMelekh al kol ha'aretz</span> -- Hashem will be <span style="font-style: italic;">Melekh</span> over the whole world." <span style="font-style: italic;">Bimheirah beyameinu, amein!</span> </div> <br /><br />--<br><font color="gray" size="2">Posted by micha to <a href="http://www.aishdas.org/asp/2006/09/coronating-g-d-part-ii-pragmatics.shtml">Aspaqlaria</a> at 9/29/2006 12:48:00 AM</font></body></html>