Nothing quite says "Yomim Noraim is here!" more than the Shul’s very first reminder announcing "Yomim Noraim Seats," which usually occurs a couple weeks before Elul even begins. Hashgacha has it that our very first "taste" of the Yomim Noraim is not the recitation of selichos, not the sound of shofar, and not even the delicious apples with honey...but rather, Yomim Noraim Seats!
Yomim Noraim seats are an amazing part of Yiddishkeit, as they sort of just fall into a category of their own within Jewish symbolism. So important, valuable and integral to our lives, the seating arrangements for Yomim Noraim are almost always run by committees—unsung heroes of Klal Yisroel who deal with everything from managing the sign-up forms, assigning seats, and collecting payments.
For me, one of the most exciting aspects of the entire Yomim Noraim experience is that moment when you arrive at shul on Erev Rosh Hashanah for Mincha, stopping right outside the main sanctuary to look up your name on the chart, to find out where you are seating and who will be sitting next to you. Seat mates at shul are always a big deal, however, on Yomim Noraim…they are a much bigger deal.
There's something really special about Yomim Noraim seat mates that is hard to express in words. It's a certain feeling of closeness that’s generated; a special bond that is created after many hours of davening together. The word "tefila" is related to "pesil," which is a rope of connection. Of course, tefila is our connection to Hashem. But on some level, tefila also manifests in the bond that is created from those with whom we daven next to.
The post Yomim Noraim davening sensation, when shul is over, is one of the greatest feelings in the world. No, not because we are excited to finally run out of shul, and not because of our anticipation to get to our seuda (or if it's Yom Kippur, to learn a bit or grab a quick nap).
I think this post davening sensation is much more sophisticated and holy than perhaps we tend to think. It is a sensation of simcha, or pure joy. You just spent hours in shul coronating Hashem as Master of the Universe. You heard the shofar. You recited viduy! You experienced a tremendous emotional journey through the powerful nusach of the day and the chazzan's accompanying melodies. You felt moments of deep connection as you poured your heart out to your Father, your King. You prayed for yourself, your family, and the world. Finally, when the last shofar blast is sounded and the chazzan finishes off Kadish, it is only natural that you possess a huge smile on your face. You literally just traveled a most inspiring, breath-taking, heroic, and holy journey through worlds that perhaps you never even knew existed!
When davening is over and you turn to your seat mate with a warm smile to wish a "Good Yom Tov," despite the fact that you have not spoken a word to each other for several hours, you feel like teammates that just won a tremendous victory. You feel like you just helped each other along a journey up a mountain so incredibly high.
Without even thinking about it, you inspired one another. He heard your authentic cry and sniffle from under your Tallis, which inspired in him a little more feeling. You heard his sincere plea of “Uteshuva Usefila Utzedaka” which uplifted your next few moments. He saw your hand gestures as you beseeched Hakadosh Baruch Hu for life, reawakening his genuineness. You heard his singing of the nusach along with the Chazan, prompting you to look back inside your Siddur. And so it was. Back and forth. Yidden davening together as two flames, forging a singular illuminating light of purpose, drive and aspiration.
This Yomim Noraim, as you sit in your holy and special seat, connect to the davening, connect to HaShem, and of course, connect with each other.
May we all be zoche to a most meaningful and beautiful davening!
Gmar Chasima Tova!
(Questions/comments/feedback email rabbistrumo@gmail.com)
Nothing quite says "Yomim Noraim is here!" more than the Shul’s very first reminder announcing "Yomim Noraim Seats," which usually occurs a couple weeks before Elul even begins. Hashgacha has it that our very first "taste" of the Yomim Noraim is not the recitation of selichos, not the sound of shofar, and not even the delicious apples with honey...but rather, Yomim Noraim Seats!
Yomim Noraim seats are an amazing part of Yiddishkeit, as they sort of just fall into a category of their own within Jewish symbolism. So important, valuable and integral to our lives, the seating arrangements for Yomim Noraim are almost always run by committees—unsung heroes of Klal Yisroel who deal with everything from managing the sign-up forms, assigning seats, and collecting payments.
For me, one of the most exciting aspects of the entire Yomim Noraim experience is that moment when you arrive at shul on Erev Rosh Hashanah for Mincha, stopping right outside the main sanctuary to look up your name on the chart, to find out where you are seating and who will be sitting next to you. Seat mates at shul are always a big deal, however, on Yomim Noraim…they are a much bigger deal.
There's something really special about Yomim Noraim seat mates that is hard to express in words. It's a certain feeling of closeness that’s generated; a special bond that is created after many hours of davening together. The word "tefila" is related to "pesil," which is a rope of connection. Of course, tefila is our connection to Hashem. But on some level, tefila also manifests in the bond that is created from those with whom we daven next to.
The post Yomim Noraim davening sensation, when shul is over, is one of the greatest feelings in the world. No, not because we are excited to finally run out of shul, and not because of our anticipation to get to our seuda (or if it's Yom Kippur, to learn a bit or grab a quick nap).
I think this post davening sensation is much more sophisticated and holy than perhaps we tend to think. It is a sensation of simcha, or pure joy. You just spent hours in shul coronating Hashem as Master of the Universe. You heard the shofar. You recited viduy! You experienced a tremendous emotional journey through the powerful nusach of the day and the chazzan's accompanying melodies. You felt moments of deep connection as you poured your heart out to your Father, your King. You prayed for yourself, your family, and the world. Finally, when the last shofar blast is sounded and the chazzan finishes off Kadish, it is only natural that you possess a huge smile on your face. You literally just traveled a most inspiring, breath-taking, heroic, and holy journey through worlds that perhaps you never even knew existed!
When davening is over and you turn to your seat mate with a warm smile to wish a "Good Yom Tov," despite the fact that you have not spoken a word to each other for several hours, you feel like teammates that just won a tremendous victory. You feel like you just helped each other along a journey up a mountain so incredibly high.
Without even thinking about it, you inspired one another. He heard your authentic cry and sniffle from under your Tallis, which inspired in him a little more feeling. You heard his sincere plea of “Uteshuva Usefila Utzedaka” which uplifted your next few moments. He saw your hand gestures as you beseeched Hakadosh Baruch Hu for life, reawakening his genuineness. You heard his singing of the nusach along with the Chazan, prompting you to look back inside your Siddur. And so it was. Back and forth. Yidden davening together as two flames, forging a singular illuminating light of purpose, drive and aspiration.
This Yomim Noraim, as you sit in your holy and special seat, connect to the davening, connect to HaShem, and of course, connect with each other.
May we all be zoche to a most meaningful and beautiful davening!
Gmar Chasima Tova!
(Questions/comments/feedback email rabbistrumo@gmail.com)
