By: Rabbi Chaim Yeshaya Freeman
When Rosh Hashana Falls on Shabbos
The commentators discuss whether it is a positive thing when Rosh Hashana falls on Shabbos. On the one hand, Shabbos adds an additional level of holiness to the day. On the other hand, we lose the mitzvah of hearing the shofar.
Rav Yaakov Ettlinger (Minchas Ani on Parshas Haazinu) examines Jewish history and points out something remarkable. Some of the greatest years, as well as some of the most tragic years, in the history of Klal Yisroel occurred when Rosh Hashana fell on Shabbos.
The tragic examples include the years in which the two Batei Mikdash were destroyed. Yet some of the greatest moments in Jewish history also occurred in such years. These include the year Klal Yisroel received atonement for the sin of the eigel, the year the Mishkan was inaugurated, and the year Klal Yisroel entered Eretz Yisroel. What is the significance of this?
Rav Ettlinger explains with a משל. An officer in the king's court committed a serious crime and was brought to trial. Unable to find anyone to defend him, he returned home distraught. His wife reassured him that she had a close friend in the king's court who could help. When the day of the trial arrived, she accompanied him to court and, through her friend's intervention, he was spared from punishment.
A short time later, another officer found himself in the same predicament. He too asked his wife to accompany him to court and seek the help of her friend. However, this husband had been abusive to his wife. When she entered the courtroom, her bruises were apparent. The king discovered that her husband was responsible for them and was shocked that she had come to defend someone who treated her so terribly. Instead of being saved, the officer was punished.
Rav Ettlinger explains that this is what happens when Rosh Hashana falls on Shabbos. Normally, we have the mitzvah of shofar, whose powerful sounds rise before Hashem on our behalf. But when Rosh Hashana falls on Shabbos, we do not blow the shofar. Instead, we rely on Shabbos itself to serve as our advocate.
But Shabbos can only defend us if we have treated Shabbos properly. If we guard and honor Shabbos, then Shabbos can stand before Hashem and advocate on our behalf. But if, chas v'shalom, we abuse and desecrate Shabbos, how can we expect Shabbos to come to our defense?
He continued that this explains the pattern throughout history. When Klal Yisroel was worthy of Shabbos defending them, years in which Rosh Hashanah fell on Shabbos brought extraordinary bracha and accomplishment. When they were not worthy, Shabbos could not serve as their advocate and tragedy followed.
This year, Rosh Hashana falls on Shabbos there is no better time to strengthen our relationship with Shabbos. Each of us can take on something small. Let us each find one way to strengthen our connection to Shabbos and give Shabbos a reason to advocate for us before Hashem. Through this, may we merit a year of brachah and yeshuah for Klal Yisroel, the coming of Moshiach, and the rebuilding of the third Beis Hamikdash במהרה בימינו אמן.
Taken from the Kollel Avreichim Hollywood
