Where Did The Kavod Go? איה מקום כבודו

Where is the Kavod in the massacre and maiming of thousands of Jews? Where is it in the incessant rockets and bullets aimed at our homes? What is the source of Hashem's glory?

This year, reading Sefer Bereishis has been different for us in many ways. With the war breaking out as we started the sefer, we have gone through the sefer with the lens and perspective of our new challenges. Challenges which we never foresaw such as hearing/seeing names of our fallen brothers regularly. Some of us are home without a father, husband or child and others are the ones on the frontline fighting to defend our nation. These extra challenges have deeply impacted us, both emotionally and mentally — seemingly with no end in sight. Like waves crashing onto the shoreline, we are always on the lookout for the next impending wave.

On Shabbos in Kedusha, we say "Kvoda Malei Olam," meaning Hashem's honor fills up the world. But then the Malachim ask, where is the source of this Kavod? Amidst the trials and tribulations of the Jewish people, where is the Kavod?

Where is the Kavod in the massacre and maiming of thousands of Jews? Where is it in the incessant rockets and bullets aimed at our homes? What is the source of Hashem's glory, and how can we connect to it during these times?

I believe the answer lies in this week's Parsha. The Torah tells us that towards the end of his life, Yaacov called together his children and asked them to gather so he could tell them what would happen in the end of days.

"ויקרא יעקב אל־בניו ויאמר האספו ואגידה לכם את אשר־יקרא אתכם באחרית הימים."

He then goes on to bless each shevet. Before he blesses the shevatim, the pasuk seems to repeat Yaacov’s call for this gathering.

"הקבצו ושמעו בני יעקב ושמעו אל־ישראל אביכם."

"Assemble and listen, sons of Yaacov; Listen to Yisrael your father."

Rashi on the first pasuk tells us that he wanted to reveal to them the times of Mashiach, but the Shechina departed, and he went on to bless and critique the Shevatim.

But perhaps, Yaakov did share a profound lesson about the end of days, albeit subtly.

The Tiferes Shlomo teaches that Yaacov was instructing about the time before Mashiach comes, a time when we no longer have the strength to endure the sufferings from the heavy and bitter exile. He was showing us how to get through this time.

Similarly, the Shl’a¹, referencing the Sefer Charedim, teaches that Yaacov revealed to his children the secret of Yichud Hashem: the unity of seemingly opposite forces - Din and Rachamim. When we recite the Shema, acknowledging Hashem (Midas Rachamim) and Elokeinu (Midas Din) as Echad, we embrace this unity.

The Sefer Charedim teaches that when Yaacov repeated his call to gather, הקבצו. By doing so he clarified that his children were not just to gather physically, rather, there was more to be done. In order to understand the secret of Yichud Hashem, they must remove from their hearts jealousy, hatred, and competition, as if they are one man and one soul. The Sefer Charedim explains further, based on Sifrei Kabbala, that the words "Shema Yisrael" do not mean “Hear O’ Israel,” rather it refers to a language of gathering. Each person, at the time of reciting Shema, should unite his heart with all of Am Yisrael and say "Shema Yisrael,". This means, we are all gathered together, all of Am Yisrael, we all love each other as one heart and one soul, without jealousy and hatred. Once you can do that, you can now do the Yichud Hashem and say 'ה’ אלקינו ה’ אחד’.

I would like to suggest that Rashi’s comment was specifically on the first pasuk where it is referring to a simple physical gathering. Rashi, though, does not comment on the second pasuk. Perhaps the second pasuk of הקבצו is teaching us that, yes, as soon as the Ruach HaKodesh departed, Yaacov realized something was amiss. Everyone was together, but they weren’t really together at heart. When he asked them to come together and put aside their differences, the Ruach HaKodesh returned.

The Malachim answer to those seeking the source of Hashem’s Kavod, and say:

"ממקומו הוא יפן ברחמים."

"From His place, He will turn in compassion, and favor the people who proclaim the Oneness of His Name; evening and morning, each day, continually, twice each day, with love, they recite 'Shema.'"

The source of the Kavod is cloaked in Rachamim, which is bestowed upon those who say "Shema Yisrael." When we can see the Rachamim and the Din coming together, we then see the Kavod of Hashem, as it says in Kedusha further that the source of the Kavod is where there is Yichud Hashem.

This understanding brings us back to the question of Hashem's Kavod in our struggles.

The Kavod may appear to be lost, but it is somehow right there within its apparent lack. The Kavod Hashem is in the soldier who steps on an IED, taking his life but saving three of his friends.

The Kavod Hashem is even found within the massacre of Simchas Torah, when dozens risked their lives heading into the battlegrounds to save hundreds of their brothers and sisters.

The Kavod Hashem is found in the kids across the globe gathering nightly to say Tehillim for our nation. (https://tehillimarmy.org/)

The Kavod Hashem is in the ever-growing and rising amounts of people moving to Eretz Yisrael, even though there is a war here.

The Kavod Hashem is in the millions of dollars and thousands of hours being put into helping all those affected.

The list goes on and on.

Yes, the times are rough, and the waves feel stormy.

As the wave comes in with a mighty swoosh and maybe some mist, we know that it is here to smooth out all the loose and uneven sand beneath us.

We know that with every crash of a wave, it also recedes in a gentle, still manner.

Nusach Sefard concludes the Kedusha by exclaiming that Hashem will redeem us from this Galus with Rachamim, just as He redeemed us from Mitzrayim.

May we merit to see that great day, and may it come soon.

1. Aseres Hadibros, Yoma, Derech Hachaim 137