Psalm 24 “L’David Mizmor” is read on both nights of Rosh Hashanah, near the conclusion of the evening service. The ark is opened, it is read somberly, some congregations read it line by line. The main message is that to ascend the mountain of G-d, we need to have “clean hands and a pure heart.” But here are two visual take-aways from this important and serious recital of this Psalm on Rosh Hashanah night:
MOUNTAIN CLIMBING
I’m not much of a mountain climber, but this much I know: It’s the parts that stick out that help you move up. In life, we won’t be able to climb much unless we pay attention to those things that stick out, that are different. We have to grab onto them, and utilize them in our ascent.
OPENING DOORS
The verse says: “Raise the gates!” Usually when we think of doors, we think in terms of push or pull. Most doors work that way, with the exception of garage doors or the metal grates you see on Brooklyn stores (they’re at the mall, too, actually). It seems that heavens doors (according to this verse) are not push/pull, but they have to be raised. We have to push upward, to open heaven’s doors. Upward is key.