Bnei Yisrael's belovedness in the Rosh Hashanah judgment

והנה הגם כי כל באי עולם עוברים לפניו כבני מרון בר"ה.

Now, even though all who come into the world pass before Him like benei maron (sheep counted one by one) on Rosh Hashanah —

The Sefas Emes begins from the Mishnah's teaching that on Rosh Hashanah every creature passes before Hashem in judgment, one by one.

מ"מ עיקר הטעם להודיע חיבת בנ"י בין האומות כשושנה בין החוחים כו'.

nevertheless the essential reason [for the judgment] is to make known the belovedness of Bnei Yisrael among the nations, "like a rose among the thorns," etc. (Shir HaShirim 2:2).

The deeper purpose of the universal judgment is to reveal how cherished Bnei Yisrael are — standing out among the nations like a single rose amid thorns.

וע"ז נאמר הראיני את מראיך.

And concerning this it is said: "show Me your appearance" (Shir HaShirim 2:14).

Hashem's request "show Me your face" expresses His desire to behold Bnei Yisrael specifically, as the beloved among all who pass before Him.

כי כל באי עולם עוברים בע"כ.

For all who come into the world pass before Him against their will.

The nations of the world are judged compulsorily, brought before Hashem whether they wish it or not.

אבל בנ"י מבקשין להתראות לזכרון לפניו לטובה וז"ש אמרו לפני זכרונות שיבקשו על זה הזכרון.

But Bnei Yisrael ask to be seen, to be remembered before Him for good — and this is the meaning of "recite before Me Zichronos (verses of remembrance)": that they should request this very remembrance.

Unlike the nations, Bnei Yisrael willingly seek to come before Hashem and be remembered for good; that yearning is expressed in the Zichronos of the Rosh Hashanah davening, where we ask to be remembered favorably.

ונק' מראיך.

And this is called "your appearance."

This willing desire to be seen before Hashem is precisely the "appearance" that Hashem asks to behold.

השמיעני את קולך הוא קול שופר.

"Let Me hear your voice" — this is the sound of the shofar.

The second half of the verse, "let Me hear your voice," refers to the shofar blast that Bnei Yisrael sound on Rosh Hashanah.

שנק' קול ערב:

which is called a "sweet voice."

The shofar's cry is the "sweet voice" that is beloved and pleasing before Hashem.

Summary: Though all creatures pass before Hashem in judgment on Rosh Hashanah, the deeper purpose is to reveal the belovedness of Bnei Yisrael, "a rose among the thorns." The nations are judged against their will, but Bnei Yisrael willingly seek to be seen and remembered for good — through the Zichronos ("show Me your appearance") and the sweet voice of the shofar ("let Me hear your voice").