Aseres Yemei Teshuvah
Study the Laws
It is important that we study the laws we need to know for these ten days – which includes many changes in the printed prayer text as well as many special customs. We should therefore study the pertinent Halachos in Shulchan Aruch.
Lu’ach Kolel Chabad
Alternatively, we could study these laws from the yearly calendars, which now include very many Halachos concerning this time of year. The Lu’ach Colel Chabad is such an example, and it is printed as both a wall calendar and in pamphlet form.
Now’s the Time
It would be exceedingly proper if all individuals would examine such calendars until the laws dealing with these days are engraved in their memories. After all, questions concerning these points of law may arise at a time when one is unable to interrupt from prayer and inquire as to the correct procedure or at times when there is no one around to ask – further, he may not even be aware that there is a question to begin with.
Providing for the Needy of the Coming Year
Each of the seven days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur influences all of the same days of the week for the whole year. [I.e., the Monday between these two dates influences every Monday of the coming year, etc.] Therefore, we should concern ourselves with sufficiently providing for the needs of others on that same day of the week during the coming year.
Shabbos Farbrengen
Joyous gatherings should be made on the Shabbos that occurs between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, on Motzei Shabbos – which is when the meal of David HaMelech is held – and on the day before Yom Kippur.
Between Yom Kippur and Sukkos
We should steadily increase such Farbrengens on the days between Yom Kippur and Sukkos.
Living the Kabalah
Chassidus teaches that every lofty or spiritual concept also has a practical application. The Arizal writes concerning the seven days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur: Each day of these seven days encompasses and influences that same day of week throughout the coming year. The Rebbe explains this Kabalistic concept in terms of its practical application: It is well understood that on Sunday a person has a better appreciation of Sunday’s needs and the same goes for the rest of the days of the week. [While one is experienced an event or even a day of the week, he can appreciate the unique factors and needs that accompany that event or day – Ed.] From this it is understood regarding actuality – practical application – that during each day ... [See main text above for continuation.] ... How much more so concerning this Shabbos; we should plan ‘preemptively’ for all the Shabbos needs of the coming year – including that if there will be a Jew who is anxious due to an insufficiency in the above [i.e., Shabbos provisions], we should to eliminate his anxiety by providing him with ample livelihood for the entire year. (Parshas Vayeilech 5752; Sichos Kodesh p.45)
Bring Moshiach by being joyful – Farbreng
We do not want to wait for Sukkos and its spiritual revelations of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur ... or even the unity of the Jews and Hashem that occurs on Yom Kippur ... rather, we want the true and complete redemption through our righteous Moshiach immediately – literally right away! Then we will spend Erev Yom Kippur and Yom Kippur itself in Yerushalayim, in the Beis Hamikdash ... Accordingly, we should immediately encourage and push concerning fitting preparations for the Simchas Beis HaSheivah in each and every location, [to be held there] if, G-d Forbid, Moshiach is delayed ... and most importantly, the preparations for the Simchas Beis Hasheivah in the third Beis Hamikdash. [This should be accomplished] through an addition in our divine service and our actions, especially in the rejoicing (over a Mitzvah) that breaches all boundaries. This particularly includes arranging joyful Farbrengens on Shabbos itself, on Motzei Shabbos (the ‘[Melave Malka] meal of David Hamelech’) and also on Erev Yom Kippur. Further, we should perform the service of Yom Kippur with joy – the higher form of Teshuvah (Teshuvah Ila’ah) that is associated with great joy – for the thing that makes Yom Kippur ‘the one [unique] day of the year,’ is the union – the ‘Farbrengen’ – of Hashem with each individual Jew and with all Jews. (Parshas Ha'azinu 5750; Hisvaaduyos p.86) We should steadily increase [joyful Farbrengens] on the days between Yom Kippur and Sukkos and certainly during Sukkos and the Simchas Beis Hasheivah. (ibid, p.91)
