In Parshat Bechukotai we see that if B’nai Yisrael,
sincerely repent, then God will forgive them and allow them to return to the
We read in Vayikra 26:42: “I will then remember My covenant
with Yaakov also My covenant with Yitzchak and also My covenant with Avraham, I
will remember and I will remember the Land.”
We are familiar with these words from the Rosh HaShana
prayer service where they are found in the Zichronot (Remembrance) portion of
the Musaf prayer.
Even if we are not worthy of God’s forgiveness, we hope that
in the merit of Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov we will be forgiven.
The reason why it says “I will remember the Land” is because
the
not permit sinners to remain there. When
repents and is worthy of redemption, they are able to return and the enemies of
will not be able to remain in the Land.
The Rav, Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik proposed that the
following verse from Tehilim (Psalms) 137:7 be added to the Zichronot section
of Musaf for Rosh HaShana:
“Rememebr God for the offspring of
Day (Yom Yerushalayim) for those who say Destroy! Destroy! to its very
foundation.”
This pasuk comes from the “kina” (sad psalm) that begins
with the words “Al Naharot Bavel” which many recite on weekdays before Birkat
HaMazon (Grace After Meals). The psalm describes the sadness of the Jewish
people when they were exiled from
and curses the Edomites and Babylonians. The psalm reminds us to remember
remind the children of Edom of Yom Yerushalayim
(how they cheered on the Babylonians on the day that the Beit HaMikdash was
destroyed).
Where did the Rav get the idea of adding extra verses to
Musaf?
In Masechet Rosh HaShana 32b the Gemara states: “One may
recite a verse of Malchuyot (Kingship), Zichronot (Remembrance) or Shofarot
(Shofar) that deal with punishment of idolaters.” The example given for Zichronot
was Psalm 137:7.
Since 1967, the words “Yom Yerushalayim” have taken on new
meaning. Instead of the day of destruction of Jerusalem as we saw in Psalm
137:7, we now have a holiday with the same name which represents the day of
Jerusalem’s reunification.
We have much to celebrate at this time of year. Just a few
weeks ago was Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, where we celebrated the
return of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel and this week we are
celebrating the reunification of Jerusalem!
May we all merit the opportunity to celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut
and Yom Yerushalayim in the
