The period from Rosh Hashanah [Jewish New Year] to Yom Kippur [Day of Atonement] is known as the YAMIM NORAIM. יָמִים נוֹרָאִים
The YAMIM NORAIM [Ten Days of Repentance] are seen as an opportunity for change and positive growth.
Rosh Hashanah functions as the opening of a trial that extends until Yom Kippur. It is an unusual trial. Most trials are intended to determine responsibility for past actions. This one, however, has an added dimension: determining what can be done about future deeds. The Ten Days of Repentance are crucial to the outcome of the trial, since our verdict is determined both by our attitude toward our misdeeds and by our attempts to rectify them by changing ourselves.
Repentance, THSUVA in Hebrew, is a spiritual journey composed of three earnest steps:
C'HARATA ; Remorse {of past deed}
KABALA ; Acceptance {of the change of oneself}
VIDUY ; Confession We can learn about it in Proverbs 28:13 מוֹדֶה וְעֹזֵב יְרֻחָם [He who confesseth and forsaketh his sins shall have mercy]
While repentance is the primary act to be performed during the Ten Days of Penitence, charity and prayer are no less important. TZDAKA, charity or acts of selflessness, requires that we look outside ourselves and see the needs of others. What can we do to help those who need us? This emphasizes the need to make TZDAKA a part of our lives year round. Prayer, the other action that can sweeten our sentence, is a powerful tool for introspection and change of character. The daily prayers and SHABBAT TSHUVA [Shabbat of repentance] between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur intensify the usual Shabbat services in deeper sense of accountability and prayers for mercy. The Ten Days of Repentance may feel overwhelming while we're trying to repent, confess, and cultivate change in just few fateful days. If we believe these goals are "overly ambitious" we may never be able to hold onto them in the long run. We must remember, it’s far more effective to work on something small, actualize the goal, and feel good that we accomplished what we set out to do. The positive energy born out of achieving even a small goal triggers the desire for further and more impactful growth. Shanna Tova and Gmar C’hatima Tovah! Have a blessed weekend and ShabbatShalom Stay safe and ...stay dangerous my friends.