It’s that time of year again.
It’s time for me to engage the ‘King.’
You see, Rosh Hashana is coming, and we’ll have an overflow crowd at services.
For me, that’s a precious opportunity to unveil and articulate the Judaic tradition which I hold so dear.
I can express our belief in G-d as a Parent, Who devotedly cares for each of us. This helps us envision how we each matter to G-d.
I can depict our embrace of G-d as a spouse, with whom we share a loving – if sometimes challenging –relationship. That opens a vital window into our deep bond with the Divine.
Loyal and Loving. That’s my G-d.
But here’s the problem. This fundamentally-Judaic image of G-d doesn’t easily dovetail with the Rosh Hashana liturgy. When we open the prayer book, we find a consistent theme of G-d - not as Parent or Spouse but - as ‘King.’
Our Rosh Hashana services are one big Coronation.
That metaphor isn’t a natural for Americans. We’re very happy to have ejected King George III from our lives, and we’re generally not big on respect for the monarchy.
In my experience, Parent and Spouse imagery work. King? That’s a tough one for many people.
So, let us – you and I - [re]frame and [re]define the King concept.
Building on the image of G-d as wholly committed to our welfare (like a parent) and deeply loving (like a spouse), we also see G-d as our [devoted and loving] King.
Why? Because it introduces a wonderful new element: Surrender.
No human – even family - can say to me: “I know you, because I created and designed you. Relax and stop clinging to your self-image and shallow perceptions. I will guide you toward becoming the person I created you to be.”
Only G-d can say that. And I can handle it when it’s coming from G-d. Because G-d DID create me; G-d knows my strengths and genuinely perceives my weaknesses. So I’m comfortable surrendering to my loving and devoted King. Because I’m actually surrendering to my own destiny, my best self.
Yes. ‘G-d as King’ works for my prayer imagery.
How about you?