Rosh Hashana 17

Rosh Hashana 16 fell on Shabbat this year and so I did not blog about it. I will review the Mishna that was introduced, for its impact carries over.

"At four times (annually) the world is judged: On Passover concerning grain, o Shavuot concerning fruits from trees on Rosh Hashana, all creatures pass before Him like sheep as it is stated"He Who fashions their heats alike, Who considers all their deeds" (Psalms 33:15) and on the Festival of Sukkot judging concerns water."

The Gemara of Rosh Hashana 16 examined judging at different times of the year vs. judging on Rosh Hashana, just before Yom Kippur.  The judgement of Kings, the usefulness of praying for those who are sick if G-d has sealed their fate, and the use of the shofar on Rosh Hashana are also considered.    The rabbis consider which deeds we are judged upon.  Gehenna is part of this conversation, as the rabbis want to understand when we can affect change in G-d's judgement of us.

Rosh Hashana 17 continues this conversation.  Some of the major themes:

• a detailed discussion of Beit Shammai's and Beit Hillel's views on who will go to or through Gehenna, for which sins, and how long they will stay there.
• to this end distinctions are made between apostates, heretics and those who simply sin with their bodies, a lesser crime
• Beit Hillel notes that G-d is "abundant in kindness" (Exodus 34:6) and that if we are the same, G-d tilts in favour of kindness.
• What does this mean?  Mercy may mean overlooking one's first sin.
• The people of Mehoza are said to be so beautiful that it led to sinning with their bodies
• Special attention is given to leaders to create excessive fear in the community not for the sake of Heaven
• A story is told of Rav Huna son of Rav Yehoshua, almost dying. Rav Pappa prepared his provisions for death, but Rav Huna recovered.  He reported that G-d bears sins and forgives transgressions of those who put aside grievances with others.
• The rabbis look to ways that we are promised to be forgiven, for example reciting our prayers in order
• Another example of G-d's compassion: Exodus 34:6 is interpreted by Rabbi Yochanan as G-d wrapping Himself in a tallit; thus we are to do the same and to recite the 13 attributes to receive G-d's favour
• The rabbis consider individual and collective sins; these might be punished differently
• Beloreya the convert (a woman)asks Rabban Gamliel why G-d favours no one (Deuteronomy 10:17) yet the Lord will show favour to you (Number 6:26).
• The resolution is offered by Rabbi Yosei: this is like a person who swears to the king that he will repay a loan to a friend.  When he defaults, the king can forgive his insult but the king cannot forgive the insult to the friend.  Here is where we learn that only people can forgive sins against people; we ask G-d for forgiveness of our sins against G-d.

It is exciting to find these sources of my traditions. And it is absolutely amazing that our religion has carried on these traditions - and the texts that created them - after so much time.