Rosh HaShana (4): Have Mercy

The Midrash teaches us that the Shofar has the ability to change over the Midas HaDin to Midas HaRachamim - to create a cosmic shift from strict judgement to a mode of compassion. The question is: how and why is this so?

The Avnei Nezer in his Naos HaDesheh explains as follows:

The Ohel of the Avnei Nezer and his
son the Shem MiShmuel

Our Neshama comes from the highest of spiritual planes. The soul is a Chelek Eloka MiMaal, a Divine Spark. A trace of the Creator lingers within us. The transition into this world is long and hard. One setback that the soul suffers from is going highly unnoticed. It is very hard for a person to identify himself as his soul being housed in a body as opposed to a body that may or may not theoretically contain a spirit somewhere deep down inside.

When a person sins, he floods his being with impurity. At that moment he takes his lofty Neshama and drags it through his lustful escapades - even if he doesn't feel the protest and pain of his soul.  The Chasidim bring a parable to one who is unknowingly taking the king's head and pressing it into a puddle of mud. Oh, the pain and anguish he would experience if he was only made aware of what was going on!

We have been explaining (here and here) that Teshuva must begin with Charatah - remorse. When I know the ramifications of my actions - that my inner G-dly light is being suppressed and tortured - I begin to have Rachmanus, mercy on myself. When I begin to identify and thereby empathize with the soul I have the ability to channel that mercy into a slingshot for growth and Teshuva.

The sound of the Shofar is described in the Gemara as Genuchei Ganach and Yelulei Yalil: crying and wailing.  Chazal say, מאן דנפך מתוכו נפך - one who breathes does so from within himself. This is a reference to how G-d brought Adam to life by "breathing" into him. It follows that the life-force that powers man comes from the deepest Divine space... "From within Himself."

The Shofar is blown by returning that breath outward. The Genuchei Ganach and Yelulei Yalil that it emits exemplifies the re-identification with the soul and the powerful yearning to rise from the fall that such an awareness engenders. The cry of the Shofar touches the Chelek Eloka MaMaal inside and thereby inspires us to sprout forth.

Hashem should help us take advantage of this remarkable call.