Written by Rabbi Daniel Yaakov Travis
(based on a derasha from
HaGaon Rav Moshe Sternbuch shlita,
Ravad of Yerushalayim, Leil Shabbos Shoftim)
Out of Order
We all know that Rosh Hashanah is the day when the Almighty issues our judgment for the upcoming year, while Yom Kippur is our opportunity to atone for our transgressions.
Based on this, Rav Yisrael Salanter asked a simple yet startling question: Aren’t these holidays out of order? Surely it would better for us to have our spiritual state wiped clean before our future fate is determined.
Rav Yisrael answers his own question by pointing out that in fact Rosh Hashanah has to come first. Through the awesome spirit of strict judgment of that day, we are able to perceive that Hashem is truly the undisputed ruler of the entire universe. Only after we have achieved this level of recognition are we worthy of being purified on Yom Kippur.
Rosh Hashanah is not a day of teshuvah. Throughout the long hours of davening, we do not say a single viduy. Rather Rosh Hashanah is a Yom Tov of malchious, recognizing that everything that happens in our lives is in His hands alone.
Rav Sternbuch was once approached by a businessman for a beracha right before Rosh Hashanah. The rav asked him what sort of blessing he sought, and the man replied, "This year went business went amazingly well. I know that Hashem can turn things around so I ask for one thing; that He should stay clear of my affairs and just let things continue to prosper."
Rav Sternbuch was shocked by the man's request and tried to make him see irrationality of his outlook. The Almighty orchestrates every detail of our existence and there is nothing which is not in His absolute control. Asking Him to stay out of one's business shows that one has not grasped the full extent of His Kingship.
The rav offered the businessman the following parable to help him understand the fallacy of his thinking: People readily purchase lottery tickets, even though the chances of winning are extremely slim. Since the stakes are so high, they are willing to spend money to enter despite the near-impossible odds. Moreover, they eagerly await the drawing of the winning numbers, hoping and praying that riches will be theirs.
When it comes to Rosh Hashanah, however, the odds that a person could receive a judgment involving much trial and suffering in the upcoming year are not remote. Yet we find that many people are pretty relaxed before the Day of Judgment, assuming that if things went OK last year they will stay OK in the following year. This complacency comes from the fact that they do not grasp the full extent of the din. And if we want the outcome of our judgment to be positive, we should first recognize that every aspect of our destiny is entirely in the Almighty's hands.
Guarding the Gates
"You should set up judges and police by all of your gates...Justice, justice pursue" (Devarim 16: 18, 20).
On a simple level, the Torah is instructing us to ensure that there is a justice system in Klal Yisrael. Judges make sure that the judicial laws of the Torah are properly upheld. Policemen protect the Jewish people from those who break the laws.
On a deeper level, the Torah is speaking personally to each Jew as an individual. All of us have gates; our eyes, mouth, and ears. We must guard these portals carefully and make sure that nothing which conflicts with Torah values enters us through them.
In this vein, the Torah writes "tzedek, tzedek tirdof", (justice, justice purse), repeating the word tzedek twice. While we must make sure to carry out justice on a national level, we should not forget that we must apply it to ourselves as well. Especially in regards to shemiras halashon, each person must establish his own personal guidelines, which will distance him from transgression.
Starting Fresh
"Do not set up for yourself a stone altar which Hashem hates" (Devarim 16: 22).
Once again, deviating from the simple reading of the pasuk gives us a deeper message to aid us in teshuvah. The Torah warns us from becoming cold and rigid like a stone altar, unable to bend and change. Rather we should view each day as an opportunity to turn over a new leaf and make a change for the better.
Elul is a time of tremendous Divine favor, and for this reason, the mazel of this month is a besula. Every kalla looks forward to her married life with as a fresh start, full of promise. We can live out the month of Elul with a similar sense of hope and anticipation.
The Arizal offers an allegorical explanation for the pasuk "and she cries for her father and mother for a month," referring to the eshes yafes toar. The father represents the Almighty, and the mother represents the Jewish people. During the year, we abandon our father and mother to pursue our heart’s worldly desires. During Elul we have an entire month to focus on rebuilding these fundamental relationships, and to regain to our original level of closeness.
On Rosh Hashanah the Almighty judges us "as we are at that moment." Our din on that day will reflect any changes that we have brought about in ourselves during Elul, no matter how small they may be. Let us seize this precious opportunity to ensure that we will be inscribed immediately into the book of life, health, and prosperity.
(Rabbi Travis is Rosh Kollel of Kollel Toras Chaim in Yerushalayim and is the author of Shaylos U'Teshuvos Toras Chaim and "Praying With Joy – A Daily Tefilla Companion" a practical daily guide to improving one's prayers, available from Feldheim Publishers. For more information about his work contact dytravis@actcom.com.)
