Monday, February 13, 2012

ואחרי ככלות הכל

In Adon Olam we say ואחרי ככלות הכל לבדו ימלוך נורא - after everything no longer exists Hashem will rule alone.

What does that mean? How can he rule if there are no people over whom to rule??

Says Rav Kook in his siddur: ככלות in this context means כיסופין. To deeply desire, to yearn for. After we all properly pine for Hashem then הוא לבדו ימלוך נורא - He will rule alone and there will be no other reality other than us basking in His glory. [See Nefesh Hachaim Shaar gimmel perek yud aleph in the footnote.]

[We need someone to write a really good commentary on the siddur so that people daven with more understanding and emotion. Just an idea if you can do it...]