Question: After the chagim I always feel such a letdown. There were such high moments. Then suddenly we’re thrown back into the world. Every year it affects me more, and I even feel depressed. What can I do?
Answer: Some people can’t wait for the chagim (holidays) to end so they can return to “regular life.” Your experience shows you live the chagim in a deep and meaningful way. You’re definitely doing something right.
It’s true that moving from the spiritual heights of Tishrei back into daily life isn’t easy. On a smaller scale, we experience this every week. On Shabbat we are granted what chassidut calls a neshama yetera—a revelation of a higher more transcendent level of our soul. When Shabbat ends, that neshama yetera departs, and we are thrust from its holiness into the six ordinary days of the week.
The legendary chassid, Reb Mendel Futerfas, spent about 14 years in Soviet prisons and labor camps for the “crime” of teaching and spreading Judaism. While in a Siberian Gulag, he met a fellow prisoner who had been a circus performer—a tightrope walker. He told Reb Mendel that the secret to maintaining balance on the rope is to never take your eyes off your destination. But, he added, the hardest moment is when you turn around. During that split second—when you’ve left one pole but haven’t yet focused on the other—you’re in real danger of falling. At that moment of transition, you must not panic or lose focus. Keep steady, your eyes will find the new goal.
When we transition from Tishrei to the year ahead, we are like the tightrope walker turning around. It may feel unstable, but we must not be distracted. The key is to focus on the goal. Hashem gave us the chagim so we can absorb holiness and inspiration. Our task now is to channel that inspiration into daily life: to increase in Torah study, tzedakah, mitzvot, davening with kavanah (intention), outreach, and positively impacting our communities.
The Previous Rebbe teaches that after the chagim we begin to unpack the spiritual treasures we received, using those gifts during the year. The chagim are not the destination but steps in our personal and collective journey. The uplifting moments you experienced are meant to carry you forward—transforming the entire year into something truly special.
Aharon Schmidt, marriage & individual counseling: www.aharonschmidt.com.
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