Teshuva Through Joy
As we stand on Shabbat Shuvah, Parshat Vayelech—it is necessary to increase with greater strength and greater vigor in the work of teshuvah (“and the soul shall return to G-d Who gave it,” souls within bodies), rising higher and higher, in a manner of going (“Vayelech”), incomparable to the level of teshuvah before this. And all of this should be done with joy, up to the fullness of joy, similar to the joy of Simchat Torah...
(the Rebbe)
Immediate Acceptance
Although repentance and heartfelt prayer are always pleasing, during the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur they are especially meritorious and are accepted immediately.
(Maimonides)
The Most Favorable Days
All forty days from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Yom Kippur are days of Divine favor, but the Ten Days of Repentance, at the end of this period, are the most favorable.
(Shlah)
Drawing the Divine Light Near
During this time of Divine favor, G-d reveals His holy arm, that aspect of, “bringing the Source of Light close to the spark”, a closeness that arouses in a person the revelation of the essence of their soul. Therefore, during these days, anyone can achieve repentance.
(the Rebbe Rayatz)
Up to the Throne of Glory
The power of repentance is great, because when a person contemplates repentance in their heart, it immediately ascends—not only to the first and second heavens, but to the seventh heaven, and not only to the seventh heaven, but it stands before the Throne of Glory.
(Pesikta Rabbati)
Beyond Requests
A Chassid of Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin was experiencing serious difficulties in his business. He traveled to his Rebbe, and arranged in his mind what he would say. But when he entered his room, he forgot everything he had prepared, and left without presenting his matter. The same thing happened a second and third time. Finally, he asked the Rebbe the reason.
The Ruzhiner replied: “The Kohen Gadol, when he would enter the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur, did not request anything. Only upon leaving the Sanctuary would he recite a short prayer. Why did he not take advantage of the rare opportunity of entering the Holy of Holies to ask for his needs? Because when he entered into holiness, all material matters were forgotten, and only when he had somewhat parted from that holiness was he able to offer a short prayer.”
And the tzaddik concluded: “There is a hint of this in the Book of Esther: ‘And when the turn of Esther came... to come to the King—the King of the universe—she requested nothing.’”
This issue of Living Jewish is dedicated by the Red Heifer & by an “appreciative reader” in Eretz Yisrael.
