The period from Rosh Hashanah until Yom Kippur is called “the Days of Awe.” Yet everything depends on how we perceive these days. Kabbalah, which directs a person toward the future and correction, sees them not as frightening days but as an opportunity for the greatest and most positive changes.
Before Rosh Hashanah comes a period of repentance. Its purpose is to recognize our egoistic nature, which constantly prioritizes self-benefit over benefiting others and nature, and understand that this egoistic nature requires correction. Rosh Hashanah then represents the beginning of a new state, the beginning of good changes.
After Rosh Hashanah comes Yom Kippur, the Day of Judgment. Here, judgment means that I judge myself. I examine my qualities and clarify what must be corrected in me so that I can rise to the degree of the Creator, the upper force of love, bestowal, and connection.
Following these clarifications comes Sukkot. After recognizing what requires correction and asking for it, we begin to build the soul. The Sukkah symbolizes the common soul of Adam HaRishon, of which we are all parts.
When we gather together under one covering and cover all the transgressions revealed between us with love, we can reach Simchat Torah, the Joy of the Torah. Our connection becomes so complete that the upper light, called the Torah, can fill our common vessel and bring us to correction.
This is the true meaning of the Days of Awe. Their awesomeness does not come from fear of punishment or threat, but from reverence before the greatness of the state we have the opportunity to attain. This is why the Creator is called “great and awesome.”
Before Rosh Hashanah, we traditionally wish one another a good year and a good inscription in the Book of Life. But whether the year is truly good depends on the connection we build between us.
If we unite and learn to cover all transgressions with love, we create the conditions for a good year. And this work should not be limited to the holidays. Day by day, we should come closer in spirit until we become like one person with one heart.
Within that common heart, we will reveal the upper force that fills and connects us.
That will truly be a happy new year.
Based on “KabTV’s World, Jewish holidays” with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.
Posted in Quora, The Times of Israel