Synagogue Sermon
Rekindled Devotion - editor's title (1958)
As our congregation gathers for this holy convocation, prepared to address G-d on this holiest night of the year, there are many ways in which we can understand our relation to Him. In the Yom Kippur Prayerbook, in the portion before the confessional, we enumerate some of them. One is purely spiritual: ki anu amecha v’Ata Elokeinu, we, the Children of Israel, are Thy people, and Thou art our G-d. Another is devotional: anu vanecha v’Ata Avinu – we come to G-d as children to Father. The third is an approach of the Jewish people to G-d in fear and trembling: anu avadecha v’Ata Adoneinu – we are Thy slaves, and Thou – our Master.I prefer to think, however, that on this holy night of Kol Nidre, so filled with sacred associations, so evocative of the deepest longings of the Jewish soul, so stirring to the bit of Jewish heart within us, so conducive to the feelings of warmth and goodness and companionship and affection that move us, that on this night we are best characterized by the relationship anu rayasecha v’Ata dodeinu, we are Thy faithful and Thou art our Beloved; Israel is the faithful, loving wife, addressing her beloved, divine Husband. When our Prophets reached their loftiest heights of inspiration, they spoke of G-d and Israel as lover and beloved. When Jeremiah is commanded to address the citizens of Jerusalem, he tells them the words of the Lord: zacharti lach chessed ne’urayich, ahavas kelulosayich (2:2), “I remember your youthful devotion, the love of your bridal days,” and ahavas olam ahavtich al kein meshachtich chessed (31:2), “I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore with affection have I drawn you near to Me.” And at the same time, when our Prophets accuse our people of disloyalty to G-d, it is in the rich and powerful metaphors of marital disloyalty and faithlessness. Achein bagdah ishah me’rei’eha, kein b’gadetem bi beis yisrael, ne’um ha’Shem (3:20) – “Surely as a wife who treacherously leaves her husband, so have you dealt treacherousl…
