On Rosh HaShana “HaMelech” is the operative word. Rav Hirsch ztl. pointed out that the word “Melech” – “King” is made up of three letters each of which is a prefix. Together they give a portrait of The King’s importance. The letter MEM means “from” because everything comes from HASHEM.

The letter LAMED means “to” or “for” because everything is ultimately for and goes back to HASHEM. The letter CHOF means “like” because everything reflects and bears a likeness to the Creator. The Zohar states, “Koach HaPoel B’Nifal” – “The power of the actor is in his actions. The signature of the artist can be found in his art. So, we too need to properly represent THE KING.

Then we can tag the letter HEY at the beginning,” the HEY HaYedia” – “The HEY of Knowledge” because we are meant to know, the Rambam explains, not just vaguely believe, that HASHEM is not just a king but “The King”, The Only King!

It’s a big wonder! The Talmud tells us that “the entire livelihood of a person is decided between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur” (Beitza 16A) and in the liturgy of those days, the Machzor and Slichos, there is barely a whisper of a request. It’s a serious matter! Money means a lot to most of us and here a great determination is being made and it’s not a serious part of the discussion. How then is it decided during these days of awesome judgments?

A young and very successful surgeon once told me of a job interview he had with someone who was looking to join his thriving practice. The dialogue went something like this: The doctor asked him, “What kind are you looking for?” (A nice open-ended question) The job candidate, the young doctor, answered as follows; “I would like to be making over $200,000 and year, and be able to take off one weekday and one weekend day each week, so I can play some golf. Of course, I would need to have health insurance coverage and compensation for travel expenses too!”

Do you think he got the job? My Dr. friend was appalled. “He made no mention of what he felt he could contribute to the practice or learn, how dedicated and diligent he was, nothing! There was no talk about healing or helping people either.” This was a job interview from the black lagoon. You come in requesting only what you want to get!? The boss wants to know how much grit you are ready to invest.

Rosh HaShana is not about us! It’s not about what we hope to earn! It’s about what we aim to do and accomplish in G-d’s world for heaven’s sake. There’s always something to do for those who are willing to be helpful. Givers will find a place to give and they will be granted the resource to make good things happen. It’s “the vacuum cleaner effect”. You get more according to how much you give out!

Rosh HaShana is not about any one of us! It’s about all of us, including us! Rosh HaShana is about HASHEM’s KINGSHIP! John Kennedy famously declared at his inaugural address, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” On Rosh HaShana the same call to service is evoked, “Ask not what HASHEM can do for you, but what you can do for HASHEM!”

If we want to crown HASHEM over the entire world, we have to begin some place, as the bumper sticker reads, “Think Global and Act Local!” Lucy from the Peanuts cartoon declared, “I love humanity. It’s people I can’t stand!” We are ready to begin with whatever HASHEM gives us to do, with the intention that we want to be a part of HIS KINGDOM.

There is always a place in HASHEM’s Kingdom for people who are willing to do any job, and do it well! It’s the biggest privilege to be a member of HASHEM’s team, the Jewish People! We have a noble and historic mission that begins with crowning HASHEM on our own hearts. It does not get more local than that. Then, for sure we will find an important role to play. So, THE KING is waiting for our pledge of allegiance.