VOLUME 117 NUMBER 9
Tishrei 4, 5786
September 26, 2025
Parshas Vayeilech/Special Message for Shabbos Shuva
Candlelighting Time 6:32
Chofetz Chaim cites an early source that the seven days of Repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are very significant. They correspond to the seven days of the week and we have an incredible opportunity to rectify all the Mondays and Tuesdays of the year when we observe those days with total dedication to Hashem. This is part of Hashem’s infinite kindness that He bestows upon us that we have this possibility. Perhaps one might wonder how can I remedy last year’s errors with this year’s repentance. Even though Hashem accepts our penitence that could mean that as of now we have found sympathy in His eyes. But it doesn’t necessarily erase last year’s sins, it simply mitigates their influence upon the judgement which for most of us is completed on Yom Kippur. Furthermore, this Shabbos is referred to as Shabbos Shuva, the Shabbos of Repentance. Does that give Shabbos more significance then the other six days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur? If so, how can that be because we already have stated the power of these days to transpose the entire previous year’s sin? Can Shabbos actually do more than that?
The Torah defines the sacrifice that we bring on Rosh Hashanah in a different context than the other offerings that we bring on Yom Tov. Usually, the Torah states that we have an obligation to bring certain sacrifices. However, the offering brought on Rosh Hashanah is defined as one should offer himself to Hashem as a sacrifice. This is a rather vague statement that doesn’t really clarify the nature of the sacrifice brought on Rosh Hashanah. The Jerusalem Talmud as well as the Midrash offer an incredibly profound interpretation of this. On Rosh Hashanah when we proclaim the sovereignty of Hashem we are not simply recognizing His dominion although that unto itself is a very meaningful point. However, the importance of that declaration goes much deeper and has a very introspective effect upon us. We transform ourselves from the person we were last year into another individual of great heights and potential. And that is not just a philosophical point, it is a reality that we must focus upon and utilize to its utmost. Last year’s errors are assigned to another person that does not relate to the new identity that we have created on Rosh Hashanah. That is why Maimonides writes in his treatise on repentance that one who is changing his lifestyle and upgrading from his previous stance also alters his name. A name genuinely describes who you are. When there is a life-changing episode such as this then the name also must reflect that novel approach that one has adopted.
Perhaps we can propose that Shabbos when observed properly can inspire one to even greater heights. After all, if one focuses on the spiritual nature of Shabbos and positions himself to be extra cautious on this Shabbos, certainly we could foresee that he will become extremely elevated! Not only is one already enhanced and revised due to his repentance, but an added feature, the sanctity of Shabbos further advances one’s ascending spark of spirituality and therefore we can announce Shabbos as an increasing benefit for the person adjusting his life to fulfill in a more complete fashion the will of Hashem.
A BYTE FOR SHABBOS AND YOM KIPPUR
There is an opinion that the strength of atonement on Yom Kippur is so powerful that even if one does not repent he is forgiven and cleansed. We do not subscribe to that view however, clearly Yom Kippur is very potent and we should struggle to observe it to the fullest. In addition, it is the only day of year when we are compared to angels, our angelic conduct will be noticed by Hashem.
GOOD SHABB0S AND A GEMAR CHASIMA TOVA TO ALL!
