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What's the saddest passuk in the Torah?
OK, there are probably several equally good candidates, but the one I'm thinking about right now is Bereishit 6:6. "And God regretted having created humankind upon the earth, and He was deeply grieved." From the context we understand why. The humans, the crown jewel of the project, the creatures upon whom God had stamped His own image and with whom He desired to work in partnership, had become in very short order a spectacular disappointment. And so God grieves.
There is no passuk later on in the Torah, or anywhere else that I can think of, that describes God's having gotten over this grief.
This is the very sad passuk that we carry in our hearts when we sing the beautiful "Chamol" prayer on Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur. (It appears just after Kedushah in Mussaf). The opening phrase, "Have compassion upon your creatures" is fairly standard Rosh HaShana fare. It's the next phrase that is unique. ותשמח על מעשיך - and be happy with your creatures. This is a phrase filled with pathos and empathy with God as He annually takes stock of His creation at this time of year. We say to God, "Don't grieve. Be happy."
How incredibly presumptuous it is of us to suggest to God how He should feel. Presumptuous, and simultaneously tender and intimate.
When we read the two opening phrases of "Chamol" together, the fullness of what we are suggesting to God comes into sharper relief. "Have compassion on your creatures" - choose to see them in their best possible light, the choice that is the very essence of compassion. Look down and see your creatures' acts of selflessness, their devotion to noble principles, their efforts at creating understanding, cooperation, maybe even peace. See the love of parents and children, and of brothers and sisters. See the good stuff. And be happy with your creatures. Not that there isn't a lot of work to be done. Wickedness has not yet blown away like smoke. But why should you only grieve? There is so much that could bring You joy.
When we sing Chamol we are not praying to God. We are praying with God.
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