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Rabbi YY Jacobson - The Queen Is in the Field

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Author: Rabbi YY Jacobson
Categories: Religion History Education
Tags: religion, history, education
Views: 2 · Last viewed: 2026-10-16 08:50 UTC

Short Summary

Main recommendation: Recognize that the King (God) is accessible in everyday life, out in the field, rather than only in formal settings, so you can connect with Him directly without needing a go-between. The speaker uses a story about Queen Elizabeth II and her bodyguard to illustrate that closeness can be overlooked when one looks for intermediaries. The message is tied to the month of Elul, when the King "comes to the field."

Key Points

  • A bodyguard of Queen Elizabeth II, Richard Griffin, recounts that during weekends at Balmoral Castle she walked privately and greeted people she met, and on one occasion two American hikers did not realize who she was.
  • Two American hikers met her in the hills, did not recognize her while she wore a kerchief, and when they learned she must know the queen, she joked that she'd never met the queen but the man beside her (her bodyguard) meets her regularly; the hikers then asked him about the queen's personality and took photos, unaware they were speaking to her.
  • The story is used as a metaphor: people often seek a middleman to access the King, while He is already present and approachable.
  • The speaker cites the Arizal's idea that Elul is a time when the King comes to the field, without the formality of palace protocol, so everyone can meet Him in ordinary days—a teaching he attributes to this famous metaphor rather than presenting it as his own.
  • The lesson is that one can be fully vulnerable and share heart and mind with God in any ordinary moment.

Details Worth Noting

  • Concrete instructions: The transcript gives no step-by-step method, schedule, or checklist. The actionable takeaway is to speak openly with God in ordinary, daily situations (such as walking, farming, or conversing) rather than waiting for a formal intermediary or special occasion.
  • The story is attributed to Richard Griffin, described as the queen's personal officer for around 14 years.
  • The queen's Balmoral visits were described as private, with picnics and walks, and she reportedly greeted everyone she met.
  • The Elul metaphor is presented as a teaching of the Arizal, emphasizing that Elul days are regular days, not festival days.
  • The speaker frames the story around Queen Elizabeth II's death the previous Thursday, September 8th, as the news hook for the talk.

Bottom Line

Closeness to the King does not require a special setting or a go-between; the speaker's point is to recognize His presence in everyday moments and speak to Him with openness.