Rosh Hashana & Yom Kippur

Trumping The Kings

by Rabbi Pinchas Kantrowitz
Become a Supporter Library Library

Trumping The Kings - Rabbi Pinchas Kantrowitz

"There will soon be only five kings left: The Kings of England, Diamonds, Hearts, Spades, and Clubs." So declared King Farouk, King of Egypt to Lord Boyd-Orr of England in 1951, shortly before the declaration of the Egyptian republic in 1953. But King Farouk forgot one - the King of Kings, Hashem.

"For the sovereignty is Hashem's and He rules over nations." (Psalms 22:29) If the sovereignty is Hashem's then why must we be taught that He rules over nations? Isn't it obvious?

The Vilna Gaon taught that a sovereign (melech in Hebrew) refers to a king who is willingly accepted by his subjects, whereas a ruler (moshel in Hebrew) is a king who forces his subjects to obey him.

King Farouk and many others among the nations have forgotten that Hashem is King, therefore He rules over them as a Moshel, by force. Only the nation of Israel accepts Hashem as our Melech or Sovereign.

May we crown Hashem our King on Rosh Hashana and usher in a sweet new year filled with blessing! By crowning Hashem King of Kings, we unify the Eternal as the One G-d, the "Ace" that "trumps" the remaining Kings of Diamonds, Hearts, Spades, Clubs, and even of England!

© 1995-2024 Ohr Somayach International - All rights reserved.

Articles may be distributed to another person intact without prior permission. We also encourage you to include this material in other publications, such as synagogue or school newsletters. Hardcopy or electronic. However, we ask that you contact us beforehand for permission in advance at ohr@ohr.edu and credit for the source as Ohr Somayach Institutions www.ohr.edu

« Back to Rosh Hashana & Yom Kippur

Ohr Somayach International is a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation (letter on file) EIN 13-3503155 and your donation is tax deductable.