The Conspiracy of the Mekatregim, Prologue

9 Elul 5775

Prologue | Prologue 2 | Part 1 | Part 2

And G-d said, “Let us make man in Our image, after Our likeness. They shall rule over the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and over the animal, the whole earth, and every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.” -Bereshith 1:26, The Stone Edition, The Torah/Prophets/Writings, Artscroll Mesorah, ed. Scherman, R’ Nosson, January 2003.

The following Midrash, from Bereshith Rabbah (which could be translated as “expanded Genesis”), is to be considered like a curtain drawn back on the Torah. We get a glimpse behind the scenes…

When creation was all but ended, the world with all its grandeur and splendor stood out in its glorious beauty. There was but one thing wanting to consummate the marvelous work called into existence by the mere "let there be," and that was a creature with thought and understanding able to behold, reflect, and marvel on this great handiwork of God, who now sat on his divine throne surrounded by hosts of angels and seraphim singing hymns before him.

Then God said, "Let us make man in our likeness, and let there be a creature not only the product of earth, but also gifted with heavenly, spiritual elements, which will bestow on him reason, intellect, and understanding." Truth then appeared, falling before God's throne, and in all humility exclaimed: "Deign, O God, to refrain from calling into being a creature who is beset with the vice of lying, who will tread truth under his feet." Peace came forth to support this petition. "Wherefore, O lord, shall this creature appear on earth, a creature so full of strife and contention, to disturb the peace and harmony of thy creation? He will carry the flame of quarrel and ill-will in his trail; he will bring about war and destruction in his eagerness for gain and conquest."
 

Whilst they were pleading against the creation of man, there was heard, arising from another part of the heavens, the soft voice of Charity**: "Sovereign of the universe." the voice exclaimed, in all its mildness, "vouchsafe thou to create a being in thy, likeness, for it will be a noble creature striving to imitate thy attributes by its actions. I see man now in Spirit, that being with God's breath in his nostrils, seeking to perform his great mission, to do his noble work. I see him now in spirit, approaching the humble hut, seeking out those who are distressed and wretched to comfort them, drying the tears of the afflicted and despondent, raising up them that are bowed down in spirit, reaching his helping hand to those who are in need of help, speaking peace to the heart of the widow, and giving shelter to the fatherless. Such a creature can not fail to be a glory to his Maker." The Creator approved of the pleadings of Charity, called man into being, and cast Truth down to the earth to flourish there; as the Psalmist says (Ps. lxxxv. 12): "Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven to abide with man"; and he dignified Truth by making her his own seal. 

-Bereshith Rabbah, accessed from http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/mhl/mhl05.htm on 23/08/2015. Emphases mine. 

**read Righteousness: h/t Neshama

Teshuva Time!

Erev (evening of) 2 Elul 5775*


Tomorrow morning, Mizrahim and Sefaradim, my husband among them, will rise bright and early (about a half-hour earlier than usual) and go to beit knesset (synagogue) for more than the usual shacharith (morning) prayers.

This goes on every morning for 40 days, ending on Yom haKippurim.

In their honor, here is a video with one of the better-known songs of this period. Adon haSelichot is an alef-betical acrostic explaining all the many ways haShem sees through our every weakness and failure of character** (and all our excuses!); and at the same time is Lord of Forgiveness. Performed by David D'or...enjoy!

Words in English and Hebrew below, translated by Simcha Daniel Burstyn. Apologies for not being able to put the English and Hebrew words across from one another.

May this time lead into THE year that ends our troubles and brings Complete Redemption!

 

אדון הסליחות

אֲדוֹן הַסְּלִיחוֹת בּוֹחֵן לְבָבוֹת
גּוֹלֶה עֲמוּקוֹת דּוֹבֵר צְדָקוֹת
חָטָאנוּ לְפָנֶיךָ רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ

הָדוּר בְּנִפְלָאוֹת וָתִיק בְּנֶחָמוֹת
זוֹכֵר בְּרִית אָבוֹת חוֹקֵר כְּלָיוֹת
חָטָאנוּ לְפָנֶיךָ רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ

טוֹב וּמֵטִיב לַבְּרִיּוֹת יוֹדֵעַ כָּל נִסְתָּרוֹת
כּוֹבֵשׁ עֲוֹנוֹת לוֹבֵשׁ צְדָקוֹת
חָטָאנוּ לְפָנֶיךָ רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ

מָלֵא זַכִּיּוֹת נוֹרָא תְהִלּוֹת
סוֹלֵחַ עֲוֹנוֹת עוֹנֶה בְּעֵת צָרוֹת
חָטָאנוּ לְפָנֶיךָ רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ

פּוֹעֵל יְשׁוּעוֹת צוֹפֶה עֲתִידוֹת
קוֹרֵא הַדּוֹרוֹת רוֹכֵב עֲרָבוֹת
שׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלּוֹת תְּמִים דֵּעוֹת
חָטָאנוּ לְפָנֶיךָ רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ

Adon HaSelichot
Lord of forgiveness, You seek into hearts
Expose depths, Speak truths
We have sinned before You, have pity on us

Glorious in wonders, Ancient in comforts
Remember ancestral coventant, Examine hidden thoughts
We have sinned before You, have pity on us

Good and doing good to creatures, Knowing all hidden things, Conqueror of sins, Dressed in righteousness
We have sinned before You, have pity on us

Full of purities, Awesome in praises
Forgiving of sins, Answerer in time of trouble
We have sinned before You, have pity on us

Worker of salvation, Seer of futures
Calling to the generations, Rider of Skies
Hearer of Prayer, Perfect in knowledge
We have sinned before You, have pity on us  *evening comes before morning on the Hebrew calendar.**h/t to Devorah of Mashiach is Coming for the article link.
**************************************************************************************************
UPDATE: I refer you to one more expert than I on the piyutim פיוטים liturgical poems of the Selichot period, Rav Yeranen Yaakov (search for Selihot Start for Sepharadim) for many, many more songs (as he pointed out to me in 2014, he doesn't do this every year). And if you still can't get your fill, go to An Invitation to Piyut, replete with Jewish melody from all the major groups. Pages are in Hebrew and English.  
More reading: Ani L'Dodi from the City of David | An Elul Primer