The High Holidays

“Repentance preceded the creation of the world” (Nedarim 39b). In other words, repentance is an integral part of creation and bound to it by its very nature. It stems from God's own integrity, for without this, creation would be lacking in some way.

Rav Kook pointed out that there are three different of shofar. Each one of them represents a different type of redemption. This message is as relevant today as it ever was.

Some days possess special intensity. Such days, if we are worthy, turn into holidays. If, Heaven forbid, we are not worthy, they can become days of extreme trial - as in the time of Gedaliah ben Achikam. But the possibility of rectification remains.

On Rosh Hashanah, every action has significance pertaining to the year to come. This is the first day of the year, and it is on this day that God apportions life to all creatures; therefore, action and thought on this day influence the entire year.

A person must not allow himself to stay in one place. If a person does not ascend he descends. The question is not “Have I erred?” or “In what regard have I sinned?” The question should be “Have I ascended another spiritual rung today?”

We have the custom to blow the shofar throughout the month of Elul as a preparation for Rosh HaShanah. The shofar comes to wake us up but also to gather us together in order that we can return to God together.