Rabbi Roodyn

לַמְנַצֵּחַ עַל הַגִּתִּית מִזְמוֹר לְדָוִד

To the conductor on the ‘Gittis’ a song of David.

Rashi explains that the Gittis is a type of musical instrument that came from a place called Gat. The Radak introduces this psalm by saying that it full of praises and thanks of Hashem, relating His greatness. The seforno says that the theme of this chapter is a request to Hashem that he should relate to the Jewish people in a special fashion as befitting their role in the world.

Rav Shimshon Refoel Hirsch explains that the Gitis is a wine press. He says that the word for winepress is used as an allegorical expression for the catastrophes that Hashem has visited on the world. This figure of speech indicates that what is meant is only apparent destruction, but in truth the painful bruising pressure that occurs during the wine pressing process does not destroy, rather it brings out the fine and noble essence that was locked up within the crushed grape. Therefore the term ‘al hagitis’ sets the tone for a chapter of Tehillim that allows us to focus on the effects of the afflictions decreed by Hashem, as being for the ultimate betterment of mankind in general, or the ennobling of man brought about by Hashem through the challenges that He sends us.

As we approach the Yom Hadin of Rosh Hashana, we have no idea what lies in store for us. We realise that everything hangs in the balance and that the threefold approach of Teshuva, Tefilla and Tzedaka are the best hope that we have. At the same time it is crucial to internalise that even if the year does not bring the blessings that we may have hoped for, we have full confidence that, like the crushed grape, this is only a stage in the process that will ultimately produce the most exquisite wine.