Avinu Malkeinu Chaneinu

Avinu Malkeinu perfectly encapsulates our relationship with G‑d: If we relate to Him as a father, we may assume that our sins are easily forgiven, which might lead to laxity in fulfilling His commands. But if we view G‑d solely as an all-powerful king, we may not understand that He is interested and invested in our welfare on a personal level. Our relationship with G‑d is uniquely two-fold: we are his children, yet we are also his subjects. He loves us the way a father loves his children and forgives their transgressions. At the same time, like all monarchs, He sets rules for us that are meant to harness our energies for the greater goal of His kingdom. There is another, deeper, meaning to the phrase “Our Father, our King.” Parents want the very best for their children, but they, like all earthly beings, are limited in their ability to resolve every challenge. The king, on the other hand, is all-knowing and all-powerful. He can resolve any difficulty. But unless we are directly connected to him, he doesn’t necessarily want to help us. Since G‑d is both our Father and our King, however, He definitely wants to help us and is also able to resolve every issue we face. All parents know how frustrating it is to watch a child grapple with issues that we cannot resolve. When our children are small, we can fix most of their problems, but as they grow older they face challenges that may be beyond our abilities. It is at this stage that our children begin to learn that they can no longer rely solely on us and they start to turn directly to their heavenly Father and King. During the High Holiday season, let’s keep in mind that G‑d has both the desire and wherewithal to help us. All we need to do is ask.