בס "ד
Hannah, Rosh Hashanah, and the Lesson for Us
This class is based on a sicha (talk) of the Lubavitsher Rebbe, delivered on the second day of Rosh Hashanah in 1976.
The talk was given because the 6th of Tishrei is the yahrzeit (anniversary of passing) of the Rebbe’s mother, Rebbetzin Chana. Each year the Rebbe dedicated a talk in her memory, but in this particular year he devoted an entire sicha about Chana—the biblical Hannah.
Today we will learn who this woman was, what her connection is to Rosh Hashanah, and what powerful lesson we can take for ourselves.
Why Hannah and Rosh Hashanah?
Every Rosh Hashanah, on the first day, we read the Haftarah from the book of Shmuel (Samuel), telling the story of Hannah and her prayer.
Some opinions say the story itself happened on Rosh Hashanah; all agree that Hannah was remembered by G-d and conceived on Rosh Hashanah. That is why this story is read before the sounding of the shofar.
The Story of Hannah
Elkanah had two wives: Penina, who had children, and Hannah, who did not. Penina would mock Hannah, and Hannah was deeply sad.
Every year the family went up to Shiloh, where the Mishkan (Tabernacle) stood before the Temple was built. Elkanah, a righteous man, brought offerings, but Hannah was always weeping. Elkanah said to her:
“Why are you crying? Why don’t you eat? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”
Still, her heart ached for a child.
One year, Hannah went to the Mishkan and poured out her soul in prayer. She vowed:
“G-d, if You give me a son, I will dedicate him entirely to You.”
She prayed silently—her lips moved but no sound was heard. Eli the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) saw her and thought she was drunk. He rebuked her:
“How long will you behave like this? Sober up!”
But Hannah replied:
“No, my lord. I am not drunk. I am pouring out my soul before G-d. I am speaking from anguish and pain.”
Eli realized his mistake and blessed her:
“Go in peace. May G-d grant you what you have asked.”
Hannah gave birth to Shmuel, whom she dedicated to G-d’s service. He became one of Israel’s greatest prophets.
The Rebbe’s Questions
The Rebbe asked three strong questions:
- How could Eli, the High Priest, make such a mistake about a righteous woman like Hannah?
- Why would the Torah record this embarrassing detail? The Torah avoids speaking negatively even about animals!
- Why did Eli wait until she finished praying before rebuking her? If she was truly drunk, he should have removed her immediately.
The Meaning of Rosh Hashanah
To answer, the Rebbe explained what Rosh Hashanah truly means.
- It is the Day of Judgment for all creation, Jew and non-Jew alike.
- It is also the day we crown G-d as King. Each year, G-d’s kingship is withdrawn, and through our prayers and the shofar we arouse His will to reign again.
That is why the Rosh Hashanah prayers center on kingship: first we accept G-d as King, and only then can we accept His commandments.
Should We Pray for Ourselves?
If Rosh Hashanah is about G-d’s kingship, how can we spend the day asking for personal needs—health, livelihood, children? Isn’t that selfish?
This was exactly Eli’s thought when he saw Hannah: “You are praying for yourself on such a holy day? You are drunk with your own desires!”
But Hannah answered: “No, I am pouring out my soul before G-d. My request is not for me—it is for Him. If I have a son, I will dedicate him entirely to G-d.”
And she kept her vow.
Why Do We Ask for Our Needs?
The Rebbe explains: our requests are not really for ourselves.
- We ask for health so we can serve G-d with strength.
- We ask for livelihood so we can give tzedakah and do mitzvot.
- We ask for children to continue G-d’s mission in the world.
Even when a person does not consciously think this way, deep down the soul motivates these requests for the sake of serving G-d.
The Baal Shem Tov explained the verse: “Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them” (Psalm 107). When a person feels hunger or thirst, it is the soul yearning to refine the sparks of holiness in the food and drink.
So too, when we pray for our needs, it is our soul asking for the tools to fulfill its mission.
Back to Eli and Hannah
Eli thought Hannah was selfishly praying for herself. That is why he called her “drunk.” But Hannahexplained: “No, I am pouring out my soul.”
Eli then understood and gave her a blessing.
The Lesson for Us
On Rosh Hashanah—and every day—we pray for many things: health, happiness, sustenance, children. Sometimes a voice whispers: “You’re selfish. You’re only thinking about yourself.”
The answer is Hannah’s answer:
“I am pouring out my soul before G-d.”
Our prayers are not selfish. Deep down, they are the cry of the soul, asking for the means to serve G-d better.
Just as Eli blessed Hannah, may G-d bless us all with a good and sweet year: with revealed good, abundant health, livelihood, joy, and children.
With thanks to Rabbi Tuvia Serber for the shiur and the feedback.
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