Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Yichud: The Foundation of Awe and Self-Reckoning: 2a

We can now understand that the relationship forged by direct communication with Hashem brings a person to the point where he can feel true regret. He can have the broken heart that enables one to engage in true Teshuvah.

There is no comparison between someone who engages in self-reckoning when he is still distant from Hashem to that of someone who feels united with Hashem. Furthermore, the distant reckoning and regret do not have a lasting effect upon the person. Conversely one who has a broken heart when he is in an elevated spiritual state, while feeling connected to Hashem, understands the exaltedness of Hashem and his own, relative, punity.

After the building of the Second Bais HaMikdosh Ezra and Nechemiah gathered together all the inhabitants of Yerushalaim on Rosh Hashana. They wanted to speak to the people about their collective wrongdoing by engaging in intermarriage. But after speaking about this topic they said, "Today is consecrated to Hashem your God. Do not mourn or cry. Go eat delicacies and drink sweet drinks. Send gifts to those who have not prepared food, for today is consecrated to our God. Do not be depressed because joy in God is your strength... The nation went to eat and drink and send gifts and to celebrate with great joy because they understood the words that had been spoken to them.

The Malbi"m explains that the Torah portion about Rosh Hashanah was read before them and they felt the awe of judgement and wanted to fast. It was explained to them that we have confidence on the Day of Judgement that we will be acquitted and we therefore celebrate it as a holiday. The rejoicing in Hashem is your strength. This is a spiritual joy that emanates from feeling close to Hashem and begets this confidence.

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