The ten days between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur is a time that is set aside for t’shuvah – a time when we are told to “seek Hashem when He can be found.” Many have asked: Why do these days not come before Rosh HaShanah when we stand in judgment before G-d? Wouldn’t it make sense to do t’shuvah first and then be judged? Additionally, Rosh HaShanah itself actually marks the beginning of the Ten Days of Repentance. Yet, there is no specific mention of t’shuvah in any of its unique t’filos or rituals.
The answer is that Rosh HaShanah is a time for t’shuvah … But, it’s of a different sort.
Hashem said: Recite before Me on Rosh HaShanah [the verses of] Malchiyus (Kingship)… so that you will make Me King over you.
On Rosh HaShanah, Hashem implores us to Make Him King. But He asks that we do this exactly as we are at the moment, with all of our flaws… confusions… anxieties… anger… dependencies… desires…
Our goal is to be in this very place of imperfection and from here declare that there is a Ribbono Shel Olam Who is directing the whole world and every minute detail of our lives, and there is a purpose to every experience that we have – positive and negative, internal and external.
With the blowing of the shofar, we connect to a wordless cry, a deep inner yearning to break free from that which holds us down and distracts us from that which we know to be true. We are instantly reunited with a surging desire to return to our Source and to reveal the intense, pure Light that shines within us.
At that very moment we personally restore the King of the Kings to His Throne at a time when so many do not know Him.
In the process, we are uplifted to unimaginable heights and Hashem Himself dresses us in the most precious and splendid garments
In this high position, all of our flaws cease to exist. At this moment, we are as we are meant to be.
After Rosh HaShanah, all of our yearnings on Rosh HaShanah create a tiny impression, and from that tiny impression, Hashem makes a wide opening so that the light of t’shuvah can flow in from Above. It is this Divine Light that strengthens and guides us to t’shuvah over the coming days.
The Ten Days of Repentance are days of introspection and work. Our goal is to get closer to reaching the heights of Rosh HaShanah and merit a good and sweet new year ahead.
Material was previously published on www.Shiratmiriam.com.
List of People Who Need a r’fuah sh’leimah (a complete recovery)
Please recite Psalms 20, 30, 88, 121, and 130.
Moshe ben Bahieh Clara
Yisrael Pinchas ben Sarah
Meir Tzvi ben Sarah Esther
Avraham Eliezer ben Tasharnea Leah
Yechiel ben Chayah
Avraham Yosef ben Meital Rachel
Rav Yehudah ben Chayah Esther
Nasan Eliyahu ben Shirin
David ben Dinah
Avraham ben Mazal
Yochanan ben Leah
Hinda bas Taba Rachel
Sarah bas Tziporah
Chayah Ayelet bas Geulah
Israeli Soldiers (Please recite Psalms 25, 26, 46, 83, 142.)
Avishai ben Gilah Rachel
Uriyah ben Pazit
Itai ben Hermina
Elchanan Yair ben Devorah
El’ad ben Liyat
Binyamin ben Rinah
D’vir Tzion ben Osnas Shulamis
D’vir ben Iris
David ben Tziporah
Yedidyah ben Orit
Yosef ben Anat
Yishai Chai ben Rivkah
Leor ben Idit
Michael ben Chavah
Michael Gilad ben Shoron
Nesanel ben Sigalit
Idan ben Chanah
Akiva ben Iris Meira
Ro’i Rachamim ben Nurit
Sasson ben Yonah Yi-Stella
Tamir Yitzchak ben Edna
To add names of individuals who need a r’fuah sh’leimah to next week’s T’hilim column, please email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and complete the Google form.
