Thus, we see that Rosh Hashanah is a time for strengthening our bitachon—both because we find ourselves in a time of crisis, as well as because of Chazal’s exhortation to exhibit joy, confidence, and bitachon on this day. Therefore, we must reiterate the yesodos of bitachon so that we will know how to have proper bitachon—for the methods of bitachon during these days are very sensitive and delicate, and they require a balanced approach.
On one hand, we see people who are stressed and tense on Rosh Hashanah, and on the other hand, we see people who are relaxed and distracted from the awesomeness of the day. The proper way is neither of these—and by reviewing the yesodos of bitachon, we will gain a better understanding of the proper equilibrium that we must have over these days.
A Delicate Balance
Before we delve into the proper feeling of bitachon one should have on Rosh Hashanah, we will explain the difficulty therein: There is a much confusion regarding bitachon as it relates to Rosh Hashanah.
Many people feel that if they’re overly confident of a positive outcome, it will distract from the awe of judgment—a fateful and fearsome judgment. If one were to be faced with a judgment with 50,000 at stake, he would do everything in his power to emerge victorious... now, when we face a judgment on how the following year will materialize, how can we walk around with confidence and joy, assured of a positive outcome? If we truly believed in the judgment of Rosh Hashanah, we would be very nervous indeed. It’s far too simplistic to just say, “We’re meant to be joyful on Rosh Hashanah.”
Thus, it is common that people’s thoughts fluctuate over Rosh Hashanah... oscillating between pressure that is derived from the lack of clarity... and trying to be serene and upbeat to thoughts of teshuvah in the hopes of a good year. The bottom line is that much siyatta diShmaya is needed in shaping our mindset, for it requires a balance indeed.
