B”H
Shalom and Bracha!
May Hashem seal the inscription for you, your entire family, and
all those who are dear to you for a healthy, happy, prosperous
and sweet new year and may we see the redemption through
Moshiach immediately!
The
Talmud refers to Yom Kippur as the day which requires five
prayers. The simple meaning thereof is that on a regular day, we
pray evening, morning and afternoon prayers. On special days
like Shabbat and holidays, we add the Musaf prayer. Yom Kippur
we add N’eilah, the final prayer. From the fact that the Talmud
defines Yom Kippur by the fifth prayer, there is definitely a
deeper meaning.
The
Midrash teaches that the soul is called five names. Kaballah
explains that each name refers to a level of the soul. The lower
three levels, called Nefesh, Ruach and Neshamah, are connected
to the body. The higher levels transcend the body. The number of
prayers each day corresponds to the revelation of the soul. On a
mundane day, the lower three parts of the soul are revealed. On
Shabbat and holidays, the higher part of the soul is revealed,
hence the additional prayer. On Yom Kippur, the essence of the
soul that is constantly united with Hashem is revealed, hence
the fifth prayer. This is also the reason for the atonement of
Yom Kippur. Because the essence of the soul is always bound with
Hashem, it is above sin and iniquity. When that connection is
revealed, sin and iniquity are vanquished. The word N’eilah
means locking of the gates. The simple meaning is the final
prayer before the gates of Heaven close. A deeper meaning is
that we are “locked in” in a private audience with Hashem and
the entire world is outside.
As
we seek Hashem’s pardon for our past mistakes and His positive
verdict for a good new year, it is a good time to reflect upon
how we judge others. There is a very interesting Mishnah in
Pirkei Avot (The ethics of our fathers) that teaches that for
everything we do there is a judgment and a reckoning. Seemingly,
the order is reversed. First there must be a reckoning of what
we have done, and then there can be a judgment. The Mishnah is
teaching us that Hashem judges us as we judge others. Rabbi Levi
Yitzchak of Berditchev explains that when we pass on, we forget
our past. We are shown our own acts, and asked to judge. We then
realize that we have judged ourselves, and receive our own
judgment. Thus we have judgment and reckoning. If we want Hashem
to look favorably at us, we must look favorably at others.
One year Yom Kippur the first Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman
of Liadi, was late coming to synagogue. The entire congregation
was waiting, and as time passed, they sought him throughout the
village. Eventually, they discovered that he had gone to the
home of a poor woman who had recently given birth and had
nothing to eat. He cooked for her and fed her (her condition was
such that it was permissible to cook for her on Yom Kippur). The
Chassidim learned that caring for someone else precedes
everything.
Last Yom Kippur we concluded the prayers “Next Year in
Yerushalayim.” May we merit that this Yom Kippur we will already
be in Yerushalayim together with Moshiach.
G’mar Chatima Tovah (May Hashem conclude inscribing and sealing
you for a good year) and have an easy fast.
Shalom and Bracha,
Rabbi Biggs
