THE day of ATONEMENT

What a phenomenal time of the year.

Rabbi Shmelkeh of Nikolsburg said, “I want to live in this world (only) because, in the world to come there are no High Holidays, and how could a soul function without a Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement? What flavor would there be to life without the possibility of Teshuvah/repentance?

Rabbi Yisroel Salant said, “if we were granted Yom Kippur –day of atonement only once in 70 years, how lucky we would be. Imagine then, how much luckier we are, that G-ds grants us a Yom Kippur every single year.”

“Yom Kippur includes the entire year. Every hour, every moment, of the holy day, includes many days of the (past and coming) year.”

When the Israelites where in the wilderness just having heard the Ten Commandments from G-d Himself, they rebelled against G-d by worshiping the golden calf. G-d understandably was extremely upset, to the point that there is no punishment that ever befalls the Jewish people that doesn’t include an element of this sin.

Moses pleaded with G-d for forgiveness, and it wasn’t until 120 days later on the Day of Atonement that they were forgiven. This day has built in it, the energy of forgiveness. Of refurbishing and restoring our relationship with G-d not only to what it was, but to what it can become. A deeper and stronger one than ever before.

As long as one does not rebel against the day, by doing what is strictly forbidden, the Talmud says, “The essence of the day brings forgiveness.”  Just living through the day in itself has the power to cleanse the covering of dirt that may have accumulated over the internal spark of G-d, that shines, or was not shining all that much, within each one of us.

Rabbi MM Schneerson writes. “Repentance, is repairing the present moment (alone), by regretting the past and resolving improvements for the future. When the present is (healthy and) in order, it is possible to recognize what is lacking of the past, and make the necessary precautions for the future.”

On this very powerful day of Yom Kippur, the day that is one with G-d in the power of forgiveness, one must stay focused only on the present and ask themselves the powerful questions we may not want to address throughout the year.

Do I believe in G-d? Are my choices in life in line with my beliefs? Do I believe in a soul that lives on for all eternity? Are my choices in the past, matters that I would be proud of staying with me forever?

Once the holy Baal Shem Tov ended up in a small village for Yom Kippur. He was told that the Rabbi of the city, who leads the prayers, instead of sounding contrite when singling out the transgressions, he sings it with a joyous and upbeat melody.

The Baal Shem Tov asked him for an explanation. And the Rabbi said. “In every kings estate there is the servant whose job is to clean the dirt and filth. This servant, if he loves his king and is grateful for the merit he was granted to work in the kings’ estate, and serve the king, even when he is scooping up and sweeping all the dirt on the ground, he will sing with a deep and inner happiness at the opportunity.”

The Baal Shem Tov responded. “If this is your intentions, may my lot be with you.”

On Yom Kippur we make the blessing – Shehechiyonu. “King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.”

What an incredible opportunity every year, Yom Kippur.