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Rosh Hashanah sets the tone for the year. So for all of us who slept late, through prayer, & napped in the pm- may it be a restful, dream filled year!Such were the great words of the Altar of Chelm.
This past year, as now, many of us have set out on our quest for the Holy Grail. Inspired by the Rosh Hashanah reading of the binding of Isaac, we too wish to journey to the altar in order to make our ultimate sacrifice. Note to self: choose the blade.
There are two types of altars in the Bible: Mizbe'ach and MaTzeivah. The first is made of multiple components and the second of a single stone. It is significant that the last Torah reading before Rosh Hashanah is always Netzvavim (which has the same root as MaTzeivah). In that Parsha, R.Frand notes that the transfer of leadership has the people assembled (netzavim) as a unified one, accepting the new ruler. On Rosh Hashanah we assemble before God as one people unified in our acceptance of the oneness and singular rulership of God.
But why did the Torah elsewhere exhort us NOT to made a MaTzeivah of/for ourselves?" For accepting Divine rule, there, it is necessary to be of singular mind. But in human existence being one or by oneself isn't ideal. Spiritually, a person who is standing still as a single, solid golem-like MaTazeivah, is uni-dimensional. The Torah wants us to be more than that, to always progress, to move forward and not stagnate (That's why Nitzavim is often connected to Vayelech- our leaders mission is to take these intransient obstinate people and move them forward spiritually and socially). We need to strive to higher levels, refine our character, and overcome our baser nature.
Socially, people were not created to live in a vacuum (Hoover or otherwise) or as hermits. Being alone makes one focus only on himself. But when joined with a partner, he would be challenged to be a better person, learn how to give and not be self-centered so that the two could share and enjoy in life's journey. As with Abraham and Isaac, the altar is the test. Which altar we choose for ourselves could very well determine what kind of altar we merit finding.
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