One year during the High Holidays, a young man new to religious observance found himself struggling to keep up with the prayers in the synagogue. With his Hebrew still shaky, he decided to save time by skipping the opening phrase of each line in Avinu Malkeinu (Our Father, Our King), one of the most central prayers of the season. This prayer, a series of 44 requests, begins each line with the words Avinu Malkeinu, “Our Father, Our King,” followed by pleas for healing, sustenance, forgiveness, and peace. As the congregation fervently recited the prayer, he whispered only the requests, believing they were the essence of the prayer. But later, he came to a profound realization: the true power of Avinu Malkeinu isn’t found in the requests themselves, but in the words he had been skipping.
What is the significance of these two Hebrew words?
The prayer “Our Father, Our King” can be traced back to a famous story in the Talmud. During a severe drought in ancient Israel, Rabbi Elazar led the community in prayer, reciting 24 blessings for rain, but the skies remained dry. Then, Rabbi Akiva stepped forward with a much simpler plea: āOur Father, our King! We have no one else but You! Our Father, our King! For Your sake, have mercy upon us.ā Immediately, rain began to fall. Why did Rabbi Akivaās brief, straightforward prayer succeed where the lengthy prayers of Rabbi Elazar did not?
The answer lies in the profound meaning behind the phrase “Our Father, Our King.” On the surface, the words seem simple, but they encapsulate the dual nature of our relationship with Godāa duality that resonates throughout the High Holidays. God is both a loving parent, as described in Psalm 103:13:
and a sovereign ruler, as stated in Isaiah 33:22:
As a father, He shows us compassion and mercy, guiding us and forgiving our transgressions. As a king, He exercises authority and power, establishing justice and setting expectations, while also having the ability to fulfill our deepest needs and grant our requests. This balance between Godās roles as both Father and King is at the heart of the prayer.
By invoking God as both “Father” and “King,” Rabbi Akiva recognized and tapped into these two fundamental aspects of our relationship with the Divine. This dual invocation gives the prayer its emotional and spiritual depth, transforming each petition into more than just a request but also a statement of faith, trust and love.
During the High Holidays, this duality is deeply felt. As we stand before God, we experience a mixture of hope and anxiety. We are aware that our actions are being weighed and that our fate for the coming year hangs in the balance. Yet, we are also reassured that the One who judges us is not a distant ruler but a loving Father who understands our struggles, seeks our ultimate good, and also has the power to grant our petitions and change our destiny.
As we repeat Avinu Malkeinu throughout the High Holidays, especially in the final moments of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), we are reminded of this dual perspective. As the gates of heaven begin to close, we stand before a Judge who is also our Father, and we know that the opportunity for mercy is still within reach. Each repetition of “Our Father, Our King” serves to reinforce the idea that while we are accountable for our actions, we remain embraced by divine love and compassion.
For the young man in the synagogue, realizing that āOur Father, Our Kingā was the heart of the prayer transformed his spiritual life. It reminded him that we are not just petitioners before a distant sovereign; we are children turning to a loving parent who also reigns over the world. As we recite Avinu Malkeinu, let us do so with an awareness of the dual relationship we invokeāappealing both to a King who holds power and to a Father who loves.
May we all be inscribed and sealed for a year of goodness, peace, and blessings.
The “Our Father, Our King” Prayer is one of the many Hebrew prayers that can be found in our new prayer book, Stand By Me Volume II: Daily, Sabbath and Festival Prayers. This volume offers a curated collection of prayers for daily use, holidays, and the Sabbath, guiding believers toward personal growth and spiritual alignment every day of the year. Elevate your spiritual practice with this essential guide and experience a deeper, more heartfelt connection with the Almighty.