Some Thoughts to ponder about Yom Kippur (and the rest of the year)

I have been hesitating to write about this for most of the month of Elul, and if I do not do it now then it will be too late. Firstly, I am not qualified in deeds or knowable enough about these Teachings. But like the Chazan says in the pre Mussaf Prayer– Here I am improvished in deeds, but we need to pray to you almighty God. Ok I am paraphrasing.

So, I will write down some teachings that I have gleaned from various Books and lectures that I have attended.

Teshuva can be overwhelming, but I had look the ideas expressed in Rav Kook’s Classic Orot HaTesheva.

Surprising, his approach does not only focus on our sins, but also is an opportunity for self-reflection and growth. So where do we start. Rav Kook’s Teshuva encompasses Teshuva for the Individual, Am Yisrael and The Nations of the World.

So, with regards to the Individual – a healthy self-esteem is very important. Rav Kook talks about returning to yourself – the true nature of one’s inner life – return to your soul- to who you are. Reb Shlomo Carlebach sings a beautiful song about this.

Returning to your self – This is a time of introspection – To think about who you are you. In fact, Reb Shlomo says “How can we answer our Children if they ask– What are we doing here, what is our life goal?

Rabbi Yaakov Haber in his Book – The First Ten Days – describes the days of Rosh Hashanah in terms of the 10 Kabbalistic Sefirot – Each day there is question for us to consider Corresponding to the day.

1. Keter (Crown)- Ask yourself what you desire in Life?
2. Chochmah (Ideas) – Do you hate people before you get to know them?
3. Binah (Understanding/Build) – Build on your Ideas – Who would you like to become this year?
4. Chesed (Kindness) – Ask yourself – Are you kind to strangers?
5. Gevurah (Din – Judgement) – What areas of my life is out control? e.g. Over eating
6. Tiferet (Beauty) – Do we look for the good in people (who we disapprove of)?
7. Netzach (Forever) – How do we make our dreams a reality?
8. Hod (brings Netzach into reality by harnessing it’s potential) – What are our goals for the coming year?
9. Yesod (Foundation) – How do we bring Holiness into our material world?
10. Malchut (Majesty) – How do we find Balance in our Lives? How do we thank God?

Rav Kook Teshuva involves 3 Stages:

1. Healthy Body and Mind
2. A healthy orientation to religious belief
3. An idealistic aspiration to be in line with G-ds plan for the Universe

This obviously leads the Concept of World Redemption – World Perfection !!

Rav Kook talks about the battle of the materialism vs the spiritual connection.

Rav Dessler writes about being a Giving vs being a Taker.

In fact, these are two sides of the same Coin. Life is about finding a balance of these two. What is true for the Individual is the same for a Nation.

In this regard, we should consider what it means for the Teshuva of Am Yisrael – The Jewish Nation – Israel as a collective body to Teshuva.

Some Questions to Ponder

1. Are we treating those with different views to ourselves with some form of respect?
2. How can we uproot Jewish Homes and not seek a more rational financial compromise?
3. How do we continue or not continue after another fatal terror attack?
4. How do we interact with those you hate us?
5. How can we expect the Nations to recognise our Rights to Eretz Yisrael when we do not act like we are sovereign in our own land?
6. Feel free to add your own Questions

In His Shabbat Teshuva Drasha, Rabbi Berel Wein talks about that just by living in Israel, we are doing Teshuva. Despite all the good in Israel, we are surrounded by enemies on all sides who wish to destroy us and not knowing when or where the next terror incident will occur. This implies strong faith!!

As regards the Nations of the World. They also need to Teshuva and reflect on their acts.

Some Questions to Ponder

1. How come the world is so Anti-Semitic and Anti-Israel?
2. Is it something we are doing wrong? Or is it their DNA?
3. Feel free to add your own Questions

In a weird way we are seeing Teshuva for example in America with re-recognition that slavery was wrong and immoral? More importantly , the world has lost it moral compass. We need a world that has sympathy and caring to minorities and those downtrodden. This Includes the small country called Israel who is oppressed by neighbours that wish to destroy it and a world that denies the right of Jews to leave in peace in their homeland.

I have tried to paint a short outline a few ideas to make you stop & think.

I want to end of with Psalm 43 – Which so expresses our Hope and Payers at this time. (Do you recognise the last sentence from our Davening of Rosh Hashanah)

Avenge me, O God, and plead my cause against an unkind nation, from a man of deceit and injustice For You are the God of my strength, Why have You abandoned me? Why should I walk in gloom under the oppression of the enemy? Send Your light and Your truth, that they may lead me Your Holy Mount and to Your dwellings. And I will come to the altar of God, to the God of the joy, and I will thank You with a Harp, O God, My God.   Why are you downcast, my soul, and why do you stir within me? Hope to you God, for I will yet thank Him for the salvation of my countenance because he is my God.

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For further reading:

1. The Art of Teshuva – Commentary by Rabbi David Samson and Tzvi Fishman
2. Michtav Eliyahu – Rav Dessler
3. The First Ten Days