Rosh Hashanah

Table of Contents Torah Wellspring - Rosh Hashanah

Preparing for Rosh Hashanah ...... 4 Erev Rosh Hashanah ...... 10 A New Creation ...... 14 Blueprint ...... 16 The Awesome Judgment ...... 17 Tefillah ...... 19 Ask for a Lot ...... 23 Everyone Can Daven...... 26 Hav! Hav! ...... 26 Torah ...... 28 Humble Beginnings ...... 30 Tears...... 33 Tears Rouse Kavanah ...... 37 Tears of Joy ...... 38 Tears with the Shofar...... 39 Tehillim ...... 40 Simanim...... 43 The Primary Siman ...... 45 Why Are We Happy on Rosh Hashanah? ...... 48 Fear ...... 54 Joy and Fear ...... 57 Teshuvah with Shofar ...... 58 The Struggle ...... 61 Segulos of Tekiyas Shofar ...... 64 A Good Eye...... 68 Torah Wellsprings Rosh Hashanah

Preparing for Rosh The tzibbur is dependent Hashanah on the chazanim and on the baal tokei'a for a good Shulchan Aruch (581:1) year, therefore it is essential teaches, "It is proper to that they be very righteous. search for the most fitting chazan, the greatest scholars The Chasam Sofer and doers of good deeds taught that in our that you can find. They generation, the chazanim should daven selichos and and the baalei tokei'a aren't the tefillos of the yamim as holy and righteous as nora'im." they were in the past, and we don't rely on them The Be'er Heitev writes, anymore to daven for us "The chazanim and those and to help us attain a good who blow shofar should be year. perfect baalei teshuvah..." Therefore, the Chasam Halachah also Sofer says, the entire recommends that they congregation should should prepare themselves prepare themselves during with teshuvah during the the three days before Rosh three days prior to Rosh Hashanah (and three days before Yom Kippur) so that Hashanah (and the three days their tefillos will be accepted. prior to Yom Kippur). The Beis Yisrael of Gur This year, Rosh zy'a, taught these ideas Hashanah is on Tuesday, with a mashal: which means they should prepare themselves from The lion, king of the Shabbos, Parashas Nitzavim. jungle, got angry with the Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 5 animals of his kingdom don't worry. I still have and wanted to punish one hundred parables left them. All the animals of to tell the king, and that is the jungle gathered and certainly sufficient." sought a way to appease the king, but they couldn’t When they came before come up with a solution. the lion, the fox told them, "I just forgot the last one The fox said "I have hundred parables, too. It is three hundred mashalim I now up to you to say what can tell the king to explain you can to appease the our situation and our point king." of view, and he will understand that we aren't They all pleaded before guilty. He will certainly be the king, and the king appeased. Come with me." accepted their pleas and forgave them. The animals were relieved that the clever fox From the start, the clever had a solution, and they all fox didn’t have anything to hiked together to the king tell the king. But he realized of the forest. that their only hope was to go to the lion and to plead After walking some however they could to time, the fox said to the arouse his compassion. So animals, "I just forgot one the fox told the animals hundred parables. But that he has three hundred there's nothing to worry parables so they would about, because I still have follow him to the lion. But another two hundred at the last minute he told parables," and they walked them that it was up to them further. to say whatever they could to save themselves. A mile later the fox said, "I just forgot another The Beis Yisrael zt'l hundred parables, but explained, that chassidim 6 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah go to their Rebbe for Rosh We prepare ourselves Hashanah, and rely on with teshuvah, and teshuvah their Rebbe's tefillos to help begins with thoughts. them in their judgment. Everyone should think But then the Rebbe may about the year that passed, tell them, "I’m at a loss, just and ask himself, "What did as you are. I don’t know I do wrong this past year? what to say to Hashem to Which mitzvos am I failing 1 forgive our sins and how in?" to earn a good year. Now it Also, one should think is up to you to pray and do about what he did correctly, whatever you can to so that he will continue appease the King." doing so in the upcoming year. And since it is everyone's If we make this obligation to plead before introspection during these the King, we should three days, it will be a good prepare ourselves during preparation for Rosh these three days. Hashanah.2

"כי מדי ,In Shemonah Esrei of Rosh Hashanah, we say the pasuk .1 .(Yirmiyahu 31:19) דברי בו זכור אזכרנו עוד על כן המו מעי לו רחם ארחמנו נאם ה'" when I ,כי מדי דברי בו ,Rebbe Mordechai of Lechovitz zt'l explained ,זכור ,speak to myself in introspection about my sins, I tell myself "Is that called remembering Hashem? Is the amount and the I will" ,אזכרנו עוד "?intensity of how I think about Hashem sufficient this ,המו מעי לו ".improve and begin to remember Hashem more Is how I act" ,רחם ,arouses Hashem's compassion and Hashem says I will increase" ,ארחמנו עוד "?with this person called compassionate my compassion onto him. I will bestow even more goodness on him…"

2. The Chovas HaLevavos (Shaar Avodas Hashem 9) teaches the following mashal: Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 7

A republic on an island near India had an unusual custom. Every year they appointed a foreigner to be king of their country, and at the end of the year they sent him away.

When the foreigner was crowned king, he wasn't told that his kingship won't last longer than a year. This was a well-kept secret by everyone who lived in this country.

The king would ask people about the kings before him, who they were, and why they aren't king now, but he wouldn't receive straight answers.

The king would amass a lot of wealth during his year in rule, but then he would unceremoniously be sent away, and he was left without anything at all.

One year, the country appointed a foreigner as king, as they did every year, but this king was wiser than all the others. The king immediately sensed that a secret was being held from him, and he wanted to know what it was.

"There is no secret at all," the people in the government told him. "Why should there be a secret? You are king, and that's that."

"But who were the kings before me?" he'd ask. "What happened to them?"

But he didn't get any clear answers.

He spoke with the common people of his rule. He thought that maybe they would tell him the secret, but they too remained silent.

The king wanted to get to the bottom of the matter, so he befriended a high-ranking government official, and one day, the king asked him, "What is the secret of this country?"

The official replied, “At the end of the year, you will be sent back to your country, and you will leave behind all the wealth you have amassed.”

Now that he knew the secret, he knew how to outsmart the system. As king, he amassed a lot of wealth, but he didn't store it in the 8 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah

The Gemara (Bava Basra and slanders the Jewish .nation הוא שטן הוא יצר הרע הוא ,states (16 the Satan, the ,מלאך המות yetzer hara, and the angel of However, the Nesivos death are all the same HaMishpat points out that 3 being, the same malach. the Satan is our enemy, is at (שונא and an enemy (a On Rosh Hashanah, he times pasul and disqualified works as a Satan, a for testimony (see Choshen prosecutor. He stands Mishpat, 34:20). Whatever he before the heavenly court says is disregarded in the

kingdom, as all the kings before him did. He didn't build himself expensive palaces within the kingdom, because he knew that it will be soon taken away from him. Instead, when he amassed wealth, he sent it to his homeland.

When the year was over, he was sent away, but he didn't leave empty-handed. He returned to the wealth he had amassed and prepared for himself during the year of his rulership.

This parable is a reminder that we won't be in this world forever. It appears to people that we will be here forever, and therefore, they seek to earn wealth and to excel in this passing world. But it won't be very long and we will all unceremoniously be banished from this world, and we will return to the world of the souls, the world from where we came. Those who remember that, will prepare for that time. The Torah and all the mitzvos we perform is our "wealth" waiting for us in the world to come.

Think about this mashal when you reflect on what deeds we should focus on performing in this world. 3. He begins as a yetzer hara, and he convinces people to do aveiros. Then he acts as a Satan, a divine prosecutor. He tells the heavenly court all the sins that the person committed. Afterwards, he serves as the angel of death, to take the person's life because of his aveiros. Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 9 court, because he is an Hashanah is tefillah. We enemy. say selichos, and it is recommended to say But is the Satan our Tehillim, and other tefillos enemy? The Satan is the too. yetzer hara, and many people seem to like what We can also prepare for the yetzer hara tells them to Rosh Hashanah by studying do. They spend time with about it and by yearning the yetzer hara. They listen for it. to his counsel. He doesn't "שכר מצוה בהאי ,seem to be your enemy at Chazal say There isn't" ,עלמא ליכא" .all reward for the mitzvos in this world." The mitzvos ,שונא Chazal say that a an enemy, is someone with are so holy and special, it is whom you didn't speak for impossible to grant people three days because you are the great reward in this angry with him (see Choshen finite world. Therefore, the Mishpat 7:7). entire reward is stored and reserved for Olam Haba. Therefore, the Nesivos HaMishpat recommends Nevertheless, the sefarim that we don't speak with say that we can receive the yetzer hara for three reward in this world for days prior to Rosh preparing for the mitzvos. Hashanah. We should The preparations aren't the ignore all of his enticements. mitzvah itself, and This will determine that therefore, the reward can .be given in this world ,שונא the yetzer hara is our our enemy, and then, his testimony against us on The Vilna Gaon zt'l Rosh Hashanah is invalid. discusses this in reference to akeidas Yitzchak (which is Another primary read on the second day of Rosh preparation for Rosh Hashanah). 10 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah

Akeidas Yitzchak took souls stand before Hashem .in heaven ויהי ביום ,three days (as it states ,The first two days .(השלישי Avraham prepared for the We can't imagine the akeidah. He saddled his vastness of the reward that donkey, chopped wood, we will receive for keeping traveled to Har HaMoriah, Rosh Hashanah with all its mitzvos. The reward is too etc. The third day was the great for this world, and it akeidah itself. Chazal tell us is reserved, in its entirety, that Klal Yisrael earned for Olam HaBa. Before Rosh many brachos in the merit Hashanah is the time for of akeidas Yitzchak. Parnassah preparations, and for that comes to the world in its we will be rewarded in this merit. The Vilna Gaon zt'l world too. explains that this refers to the first two days of the akeidah, the days of Erev Rosh Hashanah preparation. Because We've reached the end reward is given in this of the year. We've come to world for the preparations Erev Rosh Hashanah. If one for the mitzvos. didn't do teshuvah until now, he might wonder, The Navi states (Hoshei'a “Isn't it too late to do ”?teshuvah יחיינו מימיים ביום השלישי יקמנו ,(6:2 The Vilna Gaon .ונחיה לפניו But it isn't too late. Not we ,יחיינו מימיים ,zy'a explains at all. earn parnassah, life, and other kindnesses from the Chazal tell us (Rosh יום אחד בשנה חשוב, (:first two days of the akeidah, Hashanah 2 One day a year is" ,שנה because they were days of counted like a year." The ביום השלישי יקמנו .preparation the primary reward Chidushei HaRim zt'l says ,ונחיה לפניו for the akeidah will be given that this hints to us that in Olam HaBa, when the everything can be amended Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 11 on Erev Rosh Hashanah. This (rasha gamur) to being a one day can be counted perfect tzaddik (tzaddik like a year. If we do teshuvah gamur). on this day, it will be considered as if we were As the Gemara explains, Perhaps" ,שמא הרהור תשובה בדעתו .righteous the entire year he was thinking thoughts It is known that teshuvah of teshuvah." can be done in a moment. Furthermore, the As the Rambam (Hilchos Gemara (Kiddushin 40:) states, Teshuvah 2:2) states, "What is "Even if one was a rasha his teshuvah? It's to leave the entire life and he does sin, to remove it from his teshuvah in the end, his past thoughts, and to be bad deeds won't be determined never to mentioned anymore." commit this sin again."

A primary source for The Gemara (Avodah Zarah this concept is the Gemara 17:) tells the story of Eliezer (Kiddushin 49:) that discusses ben Durdaya, a grave who gives sinner, who did teshuvah (רשע גמור) a rasha a ring to a woman for when he finally recognized marriage, and he stipulates the corruption of his ways. that the marriage is valid He put his head between on the condition that he is his knees and cried copiously until he died. A על מנת שאני) a perfect tzaddik ,We consider them bas kol came forth and said .(צדיק גמור because it is "Reb Elazar ben Durdaya is ,(מספק) married possible that he had a a ben Olam HaBa." thought of teshuvah when he gave her the ring. The Gemara concludes, "Rebbe cried and said, That one thought of 'Some acquire Olam HaBa teshuvah turned him around after several years [of from being a total rasha serving Hashem] and some 12 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah acquire Olam HaBa in one final day of the year are moment."4 fortunate, as they can correct and amend their A moment of teshuvah is past, and merit a good significant. Therefore, those year. On this day, they can who take advantage of the turn around their status.5

4. Rebbe added, "It isn't solely that Hashem accepts baalei teshuvah, rather he calls them 'Rebbe' too." Because the bas kol called him "Reb Elazar ben Durdaya."

5. The Kol Bo teaches: On Rosh Hashanah, when the Satan recounts our sins, Hakadosh Baruch Hu replies, “We can’t believe you without proof. Bring two eidim, two witnesses, who will testify.” The Satan calls for the sun to testify against the Jewish nation, and the sun comes. The Satan asks the moon to be the second witness, but the moon doesn’t want to speak negatively about the Jewish the moon is) בכסה ליום חגינו ,(nation, so it hides. As it states (Tehillim 81:4 concealed on Rosh Hashanah). There aren't two witnesses to testify against us, and we are acquitted.

The Noda b'Yehudah (Tzlach, drush 1:6-8) asks that the Gemara (Kiddushin 66) states that one witness is sufficient to say testimony a blemish. Therefore, it seems the ,מום on someone that he has a sun can testify alone that the Jewish nation sinned with their eyes blemished ,בעלי מומים and ears, etc., and that they have become people.

Because when one sins with his eyes, it's as though he is blind. When one sins with his ears, it is as though he is deaf, and so on.

The Noda b'Yehudah concludes: The solution is teshuvah. This is on erev Rosh ,והיה לפנות ערב ,(the meaning of the pasuk (Devarim 23:12 ,and then ,וכבוא השמש ,wash yourself with tears ,ירחץ במים ,Hashanah when the sun comes to testify, his testimony won't be accepted. the Yid will be permitted to return to the ,יבוא אל תוך המחנה ,And then camp [of holiness] for he will be acquitted in the court. Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 13

In Minchah of erev Rosh The Tur (581) states, "The custom in Ashkenaz ברך עלינו את ,Hashanah we say Bless this year..." (Germany) is to fast on Erev" ,השנה הזאת There are only a few Rosh Hashanah.” moments left to the year before it is over. What type The Midrash Tanchuma of blessing could possibly states: “It can be compared come in this short time? to a country that owed taxes to a king. The king But this isn’t a question, came with his army to the because we need Hashem’s country to collect the debt blessing at every moment. (and if they wouldn’t pay, he Someone told Reb Shmuel would punish them with his Auerbach Shlita that at army). When the king was three o'clock in the ten parsahs away, the afternoon, erev Rosh country’s leaders came out Hashanah, his stocks to greet the king and crashed and he lost a lot of explained that they can’t money. afford to pay the large tax. As the Ahavas Yisrael The king said that he agrees of Viznitz zy'a said, “We to deduct a one third of the request Hashem's blessings debt. The king and his on Erev Rosh Hashanah, army continued marching because we can't be without towards the country. Then Hashem's brachos for even the middle class people a minute.” came forward and expressed their plight to Also, Hashem can bring the king. The king great salvations in a acquiesced to relieve the moment (as the Divrei Chaim country from another third of Tzanz zt'l explained). So the of the debt. When the king final moments of the year came even closer to the are very significant. It isn't city, everyone living in that too late for teshuvah and it city came out to greet the isn't too late for tefillah. king. The king agreed to 14 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah waive the final third of the creation.” It seems that the debt.” world is created anew on Rosh Hashanah. "The nimshal is, on erev Rosh Hashanah, tzaddikim Rebbe Yonoson Eibshitz fast and Hashem pardons a zt’l (Yaaras Dvash vol.2 drush 5) third of their sins. During uses these sources to prove Aseres Yemei Teshuvah that every Rosh Hashanah, the middle-level Yidden Hashem creates the world fast, and Hashem pardons anew. another third. On Yom Kippur, when everyone The Baal HaTanya zy'a fasts, Hashem exonerates teaches that the human the Jewish people entirely." being also gets renewed on Rosh Hashanah. At A New Creation Creation, Hashem blew life into Adam's nostrils, as it ויפח באפיו ,(In the musaf Shemonah states (Bereishis 2:7 This happens each .נשמת חיים ,היום הרת עולם ,Esrei we say “Today is the creation of year anew by tekiyas shofar. the world.” It seems the world was created today, When something is at on this Rosh Hashanah. its early stages of creation, every small imperfection Similarly, we say in causes effects.6 זה היום תחילת ,Shemonah Esrei This day is the Therefore, Reb Pinchas“ ,מעשיך beginning of Your Koritzer zt'l warns that we

6. One won't buy a brand new piece of furniture if he sees a scratch on it. But if one already owns the furniture, he won’t throw it out because of a scratch. The nimshal is the world is being created anew on this day, therefore there is a greater need and caution that everything should be perfect, without any aveiros. It’s a new world, and we should do our part to make it a good world. Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 15 should have a happy is being created on this disposition on Rosh day.7 Hashanah, thinking positive thoughts, with As a new world is being trust that it will be a good created, we can pray and year. These thoughts and trust that it will be a better world than ever before: a disposition at the beginning world without suffering, of the year set the blueprint poverty, and distress. A for what will be this coming world of joy, and most year. importantly, a world with the coming of Moshiach. The custom is that we don't eat sour foods on In the yotzros of Rosh זכר לה יושב ,Rosh Hashanah as a good Hashanah, we say .מערכות עובר להמיר בבטן אחות siman for the new year. These words describe how Rebbe Pinchas Koritzer zt'l Leah prayed that the boy explains that when one in her womb should eats something bitter, he become a girl. (Dinah was makes a bitter face. We born from this prayer.) How don't want to show a bitter does this episode associate face on Rosh Hashanah, for with Rosh Hashanah? it will chas veshalom set a precedent for bitterness It's because Rosh throughout the year, which Hashanah is also a time

7. Reb Pinchas Koritzer zt’l compared Rosh Hashanah to an architect who draws up a blueprint for a beautiful building. Each mark of the pencil means something. Similarly, Rosh Hashanah is the blueprint for what will happen during the year.

Therefore, Rebbe Pinchas zt’l said, one should be cautious with every moment of Rosh Hashanah, because each moment creates the blueprint for the upcoming year. 16 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah

,היום הרת עולם ,when new things can We say happen, and changes can "Today the world was occur. What was in the past created." The Rokeach means הרת doesn't have to be how explains that things will be in the future. pregnancy, because everything that will happen There were chassidim during the year, has its who lost a lot of money, origin, its pregnancy, on and when they came to Rosh Hashanah. their Rebbe, the Imrei Emes of Ger zt'l, for Rosh As Rashi (Rosh Hashanah Hashanah, he wanted to 8.) writes, “Hakadosh raise their spirits and to Baruch Hu judges the give them hope. He told entire world [on Rosh them, "Yosef left prison on Hashanah, to determine] Rosh Hashanah. Similarly, what will happen to them everyone has his own until next year Tishrei.” imprisonment, and he can be freed on Rosh Hashanah." Every holiday we say such as on Pesach we ,זמן It is a time when the tzaros and Succos we ,זמן חריתנו of the past end, and be’ezras say But on Rosh .זמן שמחתינו Hashem, now life will be say זמן good. Hashanah, we don't say This is because .בריאת העולם Rosh Hashanah doesn’t Blueprint commemorate the past. It is determining the future. After Rosh Hashanah, Reb Eliyahu Dessler (Michtav There was a time when Me'Eliyahu Elul p.74) would there was a financial crash say, "I wasn't in heaven, in the world, and the and I don't know beis din's business people in conclusion. However, I will Yerushalayim were also know what happened in affected by it. They were heaven, as the year passes." anxiously waiting to see Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 17 how matters would turn The Awesome Judgment out. Although we are optimistic that only good However, there was a things will happen to us wealthy Yid in and to all Klal Yisrael (and Yerushalayim called Reb the optimism and bitachon is a Yosef Weinberg z’l, and he segulah for a good year, as we didn’t show any signs of will discuss,) nevertheless, worry at all. The Birchas we must be afraid of the Avraham noticed his judgment too, because our tranquility and asked him future is being judged. how he maintains his serenity when everyone is The Magan Avraham (end so worried. Reb Yosef of 591) says that sometimes, Weinberg replied, “My the judgment on Rosh market day is Rosh Hashanah isn’t only for (מיין יריד איז ר"ה) Hashanah. . what will be this year, but On Rosh Hashanah it was for what will be in the next decided what will be, and few, or more, years. now it is being played out. Pharaoh had a dream on There is no reason to Rosh Hashanah, which worry." foretold seven years of bounty followed by seven The Birchas Avraham years of famine. That one was very impressed by this Rosh Hashanah sealed the answer, and he repeated it fate for the next fourteen several times.8 years.

8. A yungerman was niftar from pneumonia in the middle of the winter. Reb Chaim Shmuelevitz zt’l said, “He wasn't niftar in the cold of the winter. He was niftar on Rosh Hashanah, when the sun was shining brightly.” Because the decree was sealed on Rosh Hashanah. 18 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah

Therefore, it states about Rosh Hashanah is a“ ,בכסה ליום חגינו ,Rosh Hashana (Koheles 3:14), called concealed holiday,” (Tehillim ,והאלקים עשה שיראו מלפניו “Hashem made it that we 81:4), because the results of should fear Him.” The the awesome judgment are Zohar (vol.3 98:) says this concealed from us until pasuk refers to Rosh they happen.9 Hashanah. The Navi (Shoftim 5:1) ותשר דבורה וברק בן אבינעם ,Rosh Hashanah is a writes Devorah and" ,ביום ההוא לאמר frightening day, because our future is being judged. Barak sang on that day…"

9. A mother was r'l niftarah, and the family sought counsel how to break this tragic news to her young child. They came up with the following idea: They bought the young child a new suit, and in one of the pockets was a letter, describing the tragedy that occurred.

The nimshal is:

Rosh Hashanah, everyone receives a verdict for the upcoming year, only we don't know what it is. At the moment, it is concealed from us, as though the verdict is tucked away in one of our pockets. But as time passes, it will be revealed and we will know what happened on Rosh Hashanah.

Another mashal is about a young son who was playing at his father's levayah. He was too young to understand why everyone was so solemn. The child began playing with the tzitzis that covered his father.

Fearing he may pull off the talis, someone told him, “Do you know who is under the talis? It’s your father, whom you love and whom you won’t see again.” Similarly, some people are lightheaded on Rosh Hashanah, but it's not right. No one knows what is being concealed on this day. Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 19 and they praised Hashem So although we are that they won the war obligated to be happy on against Sisro. Rosh Hashanah, and to have positive thoughts, In this song, they said trusting that Hashem will grant us a good year, we בעד החלון נשקפה ותיבב אם ,(5:28) also need fear. It is the סיסרא... מדוע בושש רכבו לבוא, מדוע Sisro's mother mixture of both emotions" ,אחרו מרכבותיו was looking out the that are mesugal for window, crying… Why attaining a good year. isn't his chariot here yet? Why is he coming so late?"10 Further on, we will elaborate on these two Why was Sisro's mother conflicting emotions that so worried about her son? we need on Rosh Hashanah: Sisro was a powerful joy and fear. warrior; he won every war he fought. She should have assumed he would certainly Teϔillah win this war too. Apparently, she thought, Tefillos are always "He won every war until powerful, particularly now, but maybe this time it tefillos said at the beginning will be different?" of the year.

ותגזר ,(The past doesn’t It states (Iyov 22:28 Whatever you“ ,אומר ויקם לך .promise the future

10. Several laws of shofar are learned from this pasuk, because the This .יבבא ,writes תרועה and Onkelus on ,תיבב Navi calls her cries tells us that a shofar should sound like someone crying.

The Midrash states that Sisro's mother shed one hundred tears. This is the origin of our custom to blow the shofar one hundred times on Rosh Hashanah. 20 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah decree will occur." A Yid The Aruch L'Ner teaches requests, and Hashem that tefillos are always grants him his wishes. The powerful, but the Gemara (Bava Metzia 106., uniqueness of the tefillos Rashi) teaches that this pasuk said at the beginning of the refers especially to tefillos year is that such tefillos are said at the beginning of the always answered. year. Tefillos said at the beginning of the year are Therefore, let's take very effective.11 advantage of the tefillos on

11. The Gemara is discussing a hired worker who didn't listen to his boss, and instead of planting wheat kernels, as he was required to, he planted barley.

If the barley grew, he would need to pay the landowner for the financial loss he caused him, because wheat is more valuable than barley and sells for more money.

But there was a flood. A river overflowed, and all crops of his field and of other people's fields were destroyed.

The negligent worker claims that he doesn't have to pay, because even if he planted wheat it wouldn't grow.

The Gemara says that he has to pay. As Rashi explains, the owner of the field tells him, "At the beginning of the year, I didn’t pray that the barley crop should succeed. I prayed that the wheat crop should succeed." If his worker would have planted wheat, as instructed, his tefillah could have saved the crops. Either the river wouldn't overflow, or some other miracle would occur. Either way, his crops would be safe, because he prayed for the success of his wheat crop at the beginning of the year. But the worker planted barley, which didn't have the protection from the tefillah.

We see from this Gemara the amazing power of tefillos, and especially those said at the beginning of the year. Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 21

Rosh Hashanah, Yom and community leaders Kippur, and Aseres Yemei didn't know whether they Teshuvah. Our tefillos can should encourage people make the difference.12 to listen to the Germans, or if they should encourage As a child, Reb Yitzchak everyone to hide and Tuvyah Weiss shlita (the escape. gavad of Yerushalayim) lived in a city about four Reb Tuvyah Weiss (still a kilometers from Pressburg. child) was sent to Pressburg, He remembers when the to take counsel from the Germans entered his city .of Pressburg ראש הקהל and ordered the members of the Jewish community of Pressburg ראש הקהל The to board the trains. The replied that they were in Germans claimed that they great danger, no matter were transporting them to what they do. a work camp, and all those who remain behind will be shot. He also told him that the king of England agreed The Jewish community to save one thousand ,said ראש הקהל didn't know whether this children. The was a hoax, to bring them “I don’t know who to save, to gas chambers, or if it and who has precedence was true. The rabbanim over whom. But since you

12. Reb Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld zt’l wouldn’t listen to shidduchim for his children unless he davened for their shidduch on Rosh Hashanah. Once, a shidduch was suggested for one of his children and pressure was placed on him to consider it. He didn't really want to consider it, because he didn’t pray for that child's shidduch on Rosh Hashanah. But due to the pressure, he considered it, and the shidduch was finalized. Sadly, this marriage didn’t last too long, rachmana litzlan. 22 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah came here, take a ticket what the child has to say. and save yourself.” The child thanked the king for saving so many children, Reb Tuvyah gave over "But it upsets me that the the bleak report to the king's compassion isn't community leaders of his perfect, because I left my city, and then Reb Tuvya parents and family behind. went home to quickly pack How can I be happy with his bags. He said goodbye my salvation when I’m to his parents, and went on worried about the safety of the transport. my parents and family?” The king asked him for his (His mother's last words to parents’ address. him were that he must always remember that he is a Yid.) Two weeks later, his Soon, he was safe on parents and extended English soil, together with family came to England. a thousand other children. Reb Tuvyah Weiss The king of England Shlita emphasized that this wanted to see the thousand courageous boy took children he saved. advantage of the king's presence. There were The children stood on another nine hundred and both sides of the road, and ninety nine children there, the king drove between but none of them thought them. to come forward to speak with the king. Only this There was a courageous boy did, and he benefitted lad standing next to Reb so much from that. Tuvyah Weiss. When the king’s chariot came near, Let this be a reminder this boy jumped forward. that we should take The king’s servants wanted advantage of our ability to to send the boy off, but the daven, which we have at king said he wants to hear this time of year. The King Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 23

,a little bit more success דרשו :is present, as it states If we take etc. But we can ask for so .ה' בהמצאו advantage, and we call out much more, and Hashem to Him, we will earn so will give it to us. This is the much. time when our tefillos are answered. And as the Ask for a Lot Aruch l'Ner writes, our tefillos at this time will During Aseres Yemei certainly be answered. Teshuvah, some people ask Therefore, why shouldn't for a drop more money, or we ask for a lot?13

13. An angel once said to a person, "Ask whatever you want, and your wishes will be granted."

This person was blind, poor, and childless. What should he ask for? He can only ask for one thing, but he needs three salvations. He said, "I want to see my great-grandchildren eating off of golden dishes." When one is given the option to ask, he should ask wisely.

Czar Nicolai would sometimes dress like a regular person, and mingle with the populace, to hear what people are saying about him. Once, he spoke to four people at a bar, and he asked them, “If the king would grant you whatever you want, what would your request be?"

One said, "I'd ask for a million dollars."

Another said, "I would ask for a mansion."

The third requested a bank.

The fourth said, "I request that you leave us in peace, and stop bothering us with your foolish questions. You're not the king, and your hypothetical question is bothersome and a waste of our time."

The king wrote letters to all four people. To one he gave a million 24 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah

Rebbe Naftali of hit the horse instead of Ropshitz zt'l told the Nicolai himself. following story: "You saved my life," Nicolai said to the soldier. An enemy soldier aimed "Your shouts caused the and shot his rifle at Czar horse to leap, and that Nicolai. A soldier loyal to saved me. How can I repay Nicolai saw this and you?" shouted loudly. Because of the shout, Nicolai's horse The soldier replied, "I jumped. This saved don’t get along well with Nicolai's life, as the bullet the commander of my unit.

dollars. To the second, a mansion. To the third he gave a bank. And to the fourth he wrote, "You wanted to be left in peace, therefore I will do so."

These days, the King is giving us the option to request whatever we want. We should be wise, and be like the first three, and not like the fourth, who didn’t recognize the potential that was right in front of him.

When the poor go around a beis medrash collecting money, they don’t get too much money. The mispalelim generally give small donations - a quarter, a dollar, and the like. But when the poor visit the wealthy in their homes, they get larger donations. What’s the difference?

Reb Tzaddok HaCohen explained that the paupers don’t expect to get too much money in the beis medresh, and that’s the reason they don’t. When the pauper goes to the wealthy homes, he expects to receive more, and therefore he receives more.

The lesson is that one receives according to his expectations, and therefore when we daven we should raise our expectations. Then we will receive more. Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 25

I want to be moved to a He would be satisfied with different brigade." a smaller present too. Why did you give him a city?” "No problem," Nicolai said. "Your request will be fulfilled. But you are a fool, Alexander replied, because you could have “When one gives a present, requested so much more, it should be a present in and I would have given it the eyes of the giver, and to you. You could have not according to the asked to be the general, perception of the receiver.” and I would have granted that to you." The Lev Simchah zt’l Rebbe Naftali of repeated this Midrash and Ropshitz zy'a taught that explained that when people are just as foolish Hashem gives us presents, when they ask for small it should also be according things from Hashem. They to how Hashem can ask for so much more, and Hashem will grant it understands the notion of to them. a present.

ילקוט מעם לעז) The Midrash תפילת טל As we say in tells a story that (ראה "נתן תתן" דוד כערכך העמד :(happened when Alexander (said on Pesach Friend, according to“ ,שמינו Mokdon came to Eretz Yisrael. A Yid came Your assessments, establish forward, greeted our name.” This means Alexander, and blessed that Hashem should give him. us kindness as He understands kindness, for Alexander rewarded that will be a much greater him with a city. kindness than when it is Alexander's servants given according to our asked, “He is a poor man. limited perception. 26 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah

Everyone Can Daven according to the Torah, they too can come before Perhaps you will say the King in prayer, and that you are on a low level, Hashem accepts their and you fear that Hashem tefillos. won't accept your tefillos. Therefore, we say in the yotzros of Rosh Hashanah, Hav! Hav! Hashem acts“ ,ומשוה קטן וגדול equally towards the small The Zohar says that and the great people." Even those who daven for their if you are on a low level, personal needs on Rosh Hashem will accept your Hashanah are like dogs tefillos. who shout, "Hav hav - Give more, give more!" The is repeated Zohar explains that on Rosh ,ובכן The word several times in the Rosh Hashana, one should Hashanah and Yom Kippur primarily pray for ruchniyos Shemonah Esrei. The (spirituality), and for the Abudarham explains that coming of Moshiach. the word comes from the Nevertheless, tzaddikim Esther say that we should daven) ובכן אבוא אל המלך pasuk 4:16), “And in this manner I for gashmiyos too. As Rebbe will go to the king,” because Meir of Premishlan zt'l on Rosh Hashanah, we once said in a prayer to come before the King. Hashem, "If You take the essence of all the tefillos of ובכן אבוא ,The pasuk states and in Klal Yisrael, You will see“ ,אל המלך אשר לא כדת this manner I will go to the that it is all about money. king, which isn't proper." (Everyone is asking for money, Rebbe Yehoshua of Belz and that is their primary tefillah.) But when You consider the ובכן zt'l explains that we say that purpose of money, it is ,אשר לא כדת to express even those people who solely about mitzvos." Klal aren't acting properly, Yisrael uses their money to Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 27 pay for cheder and school, The Baal Shem Tov to marry off their children, explained to them that and so they can make when Hashem grants their Shabbos and Yom Tov gashmiyus requests, it will seudos, etc. enable them to be devoted to avodas Hashem. Thus, The Zohar says we even asking for gashmiyos shouldn't daven for can be called davening for gashmiyos, and we don't. ruchniyos.14 Even when we ask for parnassah, health, and our Rebbe Pinchas of Koritz other needs, it so that we zy'a also encouraged can serve Hashem. people to daven for their physical needs on Rosh One year, before tekiyas Hashanah. He said, "Those shofar, the Baal Shem Tov who don’t ask, don’t have." zy'a told his students to daven for parnassah and for all their worldly needs. Rebbe Asher of Stolin zy'a says, "The Zohar The students were prohibits shouting, "hav hav surprised, because they - Give more, give more!" knew that the Zohar says This prohibition is when we shouldn't daven for he has enough, but he gashmiyos on Rosh wants more. But for one Hashanah. who doesn’t have enough,

14. Another benefit of praying for your material needs is that such a tefillah is often more sincere, since these matters lay heavily on one’s heart. The Tzemech Tzedek said that when one asks for his personal needs, it is teshuvah iloya (a very high level of teshuvah), because his words come with sincerity and truth from the depths of his heart to Hashem. 28 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah there is nothing wrong therefore it is proper that with asking.15 we request them from You." We say in the Rosh Hashanah Shemonei Esrei, Also, on Rosh Hashanah, we ask Hashem for our קדוש אתה ונורא שמך ואין אלו"ה Rebbe Moshe of needs, and thereby we .מבלעדיך Kobrin zt'l explains that express our emunah that we we are saying that Hashem are totally dependent on .extremely holy, and Him ,קדוש is it doesn't seem right to ask Hashem for parnassah and Torah other worldly matters.16 In Shofros (said in mussaf Shemonah Esrei) we discuss אין ,However, we say ,There is no the shofar of mattan Torah" ,אלו"ה מבלעדיך other G-d but You." We are because the merit of Torah telling Hashem, "Perhaps it helps us in the judgment. seems disrespectful to ask You for our worldly needs, Shulchan Aruch (585:1) but where else can we go states, "The custom is to to get our needs? Who can blow the shofar at the bimah help us, if not You? Only where the Torah is read.” You can give us our needs, The Mishnah Berurah

15. The tzaddikim of Karlin zy'a taught their chassidim to read Parashas Haman every day of Aseres Yemei Teshuvah. At this time Hashem is determining our parnassah for the entire upcoming year, so we should daven for parnassah. 16. It can be compared to going to a great, powerful king and telling him that you need help changing a lightbulb or that you need a ride to the store. There are things that aren't appropriate to ask from a king. And similarly, it doesn't seem correct to ask Hashem for gashmiyos. Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 29 explains that we do so, "so worthwhile to set a time the merit of Torah shall for studying Torah on Rosh protect us, and Hashem Hashanah, as this helps us will remember us l'tovah in the judgment.17 (for good)." Also, one can make a For many people, there kabbalah on this day to isn't much time to learn study more Torah in the Torah on Rosh Hashanah upcoming year. This (depending on how long the kabbalah will help us attain tefillah is), however, it is a good judgment.18

17. When the Brisker Rav zt'l had time on Rosh Hashanah, he said Tehillim. He explained that Tehillim is also Torah, and on Rosh Hashanah he wants to be busy only with Torah and tefillah.

He explained that when he studies Gemara, he occasionally stops to look something up, and on Rosh Hashanah, he wanted to be occupied in Torah and tefillah constantly. Don’t take a bribe," Rebbe Naftali of“ ,לא תקח שוחד ,On the pasuk .18 Ropshitz zy'a explains that one shouldn’t take shochad from the mitzvos. The mitzvos are endlessly precious and beloved. Sometimes, this lures people to be so occupied with their performance that they forget to make Torah study a prominent focus in their life. The Torah urges us, “don’t take this bribe. Make Torah study prominent in your life.”

Rebbe Dovid of Tolne zy'a asked someone why he doesn't learn Torah. The man replied, "I don’t have yishuv hadaas (peace of mind)."

The Rebbe told him, "One doesn’t need yishuv hadaas to study Torah, because one can study without yishuv hadaas, and as he studies, the Torah will give him yishuv hadaas."

Hashem“ ,האלקים עשה את האדם ישר והמה בקשו חשבנות רבים ,(It states (Koheles 8 made man straight and they sought many thoughts.” If a person’s mind isn’t straight anymore, how can he straighten it out? Rebbe 30 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah

Humble Beginnings Chozeh spoke with the gabai as usual. He didn’t The Chozeh of Lublin show any signs of anger. It zt'l came late to tekiyas was with this merit in shofar. He explained that he mind, that he came to didn’t want to begin the tekiyas shofar. mitzvah before he found some good deed that he One factor that we see had done, but due to his in this story is the Chozeh's humility he only found broken heart when he came faults. Then he remembered to hear the tekiyos. He felt one good deed he that he doesn’t have any performed. One day, he merits, aside from that one asked his gabai to wake good deed. It is with such him early, because he feelings of humility, that wanted to perform a certain we should approach the mitzvah. The gabai tekiyos and tefillos on Rosh overslept, and by the time Hashanah. the Chozeh awoke, it was Before starting the too late to do the mitzvah. tekiyos, Rebbe Yissacher Dov of Belz zt'l shouted, The Chozeh wanted to "Hashem! Only You know rebuke his gabai harshly for my broken heart." And his negligence, but then he then he began Min reconsidered. "Why did I HaMeitzar and tekiyas shofar. want to wake up early? It's because I wanted to do The Gemara (Rosh כל שנה ,Hashem's will. Now Hashanah 16:) writes שרשה בתחלתה מתעשרת בסופה, Hashem's will is that I shouldn’t get angry." When "Every year that the Jewish the gabai came in, the nation is poor at the

Shlomo of Karlin zy'a replied, “With a blatt Gemara.” Studying Gemara makes a person calm, tranquil, and settled. Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 31 beginning will be successful We can also explain that poor, means that people ,רש ”.in the end feel that they don't deserve According to Tosfos, a good year. They remember ,poor, is literal. When their aveiros, shortcomings ,שרשה Klal Yisrael are poor, and and faults, and feel they feel desolate, this spiritually poor. As the rouses Hashem's Gemara (Rosh Hashanah 26:) compassion and they will says, Rosh Hashanah we have a good year. As Tosfos should use a curved shofar, because “On Rosh שמתוך שישראלים רשים לבם ,writes Hashanah, the more one ,נשבר ומרחמים עליהם מן השמים "Yidden are poor, their bends his heart [with hearts are broken, and this humility], the better." He rouses Heaven's should feel that he isn't compassion." worthy of anything. That will help him receive a .good judgment עושין עצמן ,Rashi writes רשין בר''ה לדבר תחנונים ותפלה כענין They act One year, before Rosh" ,שנאמר תחנונים ידבר רש like they are poor on Rosh Hashanah, the Baal Shem Hashanah, for they daven Tov zy’a taught Reb Wolf in a pleading manner. As it Kitzes zy’a the kabalistic and chassidic thoughts to states (Mishlei 18), 'The poor plead.'" contemplate when he blows shofar.

So according to Rashi, it Reb Wolf wrote them isn't that they are actually down, so he could poor, rather they pray with remember them when he a feeling of desperation, in blows shofar, but he lost the manner that the poor the paper. plead for help. When Klal Yisrael prays that way on He blew the shofar that Rosh Hashanah, they will year amidst many tears merit a good year. and with a very broken 32 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah heart, because he regretted etc.) asked my grandfather, that he couldn’t blow the Rebbe Dovid Biderman shofar in the most ideal zy'a, what kabbalistic way, concentrating on the kavanos he should have in kavanos the Baal Shem Tov mind when he calls out the had taught him. tekiyos. Rebbe Dovid Biderman replied, "I don’t After mussaf, he told the know kavanos and you also Baal Shem Tov that he lost don’t know. But one the paper, and he forgot all kavanah I will tell you. the kavanos. He feared that Shevarim is a small broken this might mean the tekiyos heart, and truah is a big didn’t accomplish what broken heart." they were supposed to.

The Baal Shem Tov told Reb Velvel Eisenbach him that he wanted him to zt'l was from the elders of lose the paper, because he Yerushalayim. He was wanted Reb Wolf to blow niftar a few years ago on the shofar with a broken Rosh Hashanah at the age heart. The Baal Shem Tov of 106. He repeated what explained, "The kabbalistic he heard from his thoughts (kavanos) are keys grandfather, who heard it that open the locks of from his grandfather, to heaven. Each kabbalistic whom the following story thought opens another happened. lock. But a broken heart is an ax that opens up all the When this great-great- doors and locks of heaven. grandfather was a child, he Your tekiyos, blown with a was by Rebbe Aharon broken heart, went straight Chernobyler zy'a for Rosh up to heaven and Hashanah. He told that he accomplished everything." davened on a balcony, which was built to accompany the The baal makri (the one many guests who came for who calls out tekiyah, shevarim, yom tov. It was extremely Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 33

ה' crowded there, and he The next words are עלה... This can mean .בקול שופר .fainted Hashem's compassion ,ה' (הוי"ה People threw water on (represented by the name the child, and they gave will also ascend and leave when one ,בקול שופר ,him water to drink. They us also brought him to the thinks that everything is large opening in the floor, good, and he isn’t worried which opened to the beis at all.”19 medresh below, so he When the Rebbe said would have air. this, the entire congregation cried. The child became Lying there, he was able wet again, this time from to watch Rebbe Aharon their tears. Chernobyler approach the bimah for tekiyas shofar. He Tears was also able to hear the vort Rebbe Aharon The Gemara (Bava Metzia Chernobyler said before 59.) states, "From the day the tekiyos. the Beis HaMikdash was destroyed, the gates of Rebbe Aharon said, "It tefillah were closed... Yet, the gates of tears weren't עלה ,(is written (Tehillim 47 ".Elokim locked :אלקים בתרועה represents middas hadin Therefore, it is important .the to pray with tears ,עלה אלקים .(punishment) midas hadin is raised and with a There are techinos ,בתרועה ,removed broken heart. (supplications) written in

שפרו ,means good, as we say in the Rosh Hashanah tefillah שופר .19 improve [make good] your deeds…" and as the Gemara ,מעשיכם ".You said well" ,שפיר קא אמרת ,says 34 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah

Yiddish. They were "It is real gold," the composed so women who merchant affirmed. don’t understand lashon hakadosh can also pray. "Can I see it?"

There were also many The merchant knew that ignorant men (am haaratzim) most likely, the girl couldn't in the past generations who buy the necklace. didn’t know lashon hakadosh. Nevertheless, he didn’t Yet techinos weren't mind doing her a favor. composed for them. Why? He gave her the necklace It is because we to hold, and her eyes lit up. primarily need the tefillos "How much does it cost." of the women, because they daven with tears, and "A lot of money. Too tears break down all much for a young girl like barriers.20 yourself."

A young girl came to a "I want to buy it," she jewelry store, and she was said. "I have money." focused on a certain necklace on display. "Is She opened her purse that a real necklace?" she and took out seven dollars asked the merchant. and eighty cents.

20. Reb Elyah Lopian zt’l said he received through kabbalah that on the yomim nora’im the women who stay home to take care of their children have their own, individual channel that elevates their tefillos before Hashem’s throne. Although they pray less, and they don’t have the benefit of davening with a congregation, their few words of tefillah can accomplish what an entire holy kehilah accomplishes with many hours of tefillah. Partly, this is because of the special quality of tefillah with tears, which women excel in. These tefillos are always answered. Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 35

Startled by her The merchant explained, determination, the "My store doesn’t have set merchant asked her, "Why prices. I quote a price, and do you want the necklace?" the consumer says his budget. We negotiate until "Our mother died last we reach a decision. Your year. My older sister takes sister bargained well with care of us, and today is her me, and convinced me to birthday. I know she will sell it for less." like this necklace. I want to buy it for her." This story illustrates how people will accede to "But it costs a lot more your requests, when you money than $7.80. I'm touch their heart with tears. sorry. I have nothing in the store for that amount of Tears touch people's money." hearts. Keviyachol, The girl cried. something similar occurs when we cry before The merchant's heart Hashem. Our tears open broke for this girl and for up all gates, and our tefillos her family. "You can have are answered. the necklace," he told her, and he took the seven The Satmar Rebbe zt'l dollars and eighty cents as told the following mashal: payment. A prince rebelled Later that day, the older against his father, the king, sister came to the store. and was imprisoned in a distant land for many "Did my younger sister years. The queen yearned buy this necklace in your to see her child, so she store today?" traveled the long distance "Yes." and spoke with her son from outside the prison "How much did it cost?" walls. 36 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah

The son told her how when he is in a happy terrible it was in prison. mood, he will certainly She threw him a key to forgive us." unlock the gate, so he could מלך מתרצה ,go free, but the key didn’t As it says The King who is" ,בדמעות .work appeased with tears." "Perhaps it's the wrong key,” the prince said. “The Reb Shlomo Kluger zt'l lock isn't budging.” taught that since tears on Rosh Hashanah are so "It’s the right key,” she precious, one should pray replied. “The problem is before Rosh Hashanah that that you've been in jail a he should be able to cry on long time and the lock Rosh Hashanah. He said became rusty. The only that this is alluded to in the solution is that you must צמאה נפשי ,(pasuk (Tehillim 42 cry. Your tears will wash .לאלקים לא"ל חי... היתה לי דמעתי away the corrosion, and Reb Shlomo Kluger the lock will open." my ,צמאה נפשי ,explained that on ,לאלקים ,The nimshal is that when heart thirsts we daven with tears, it will the day of judgment - Rosh I ,היתה לי דמעתי ,open up every lock, and Hashanah we can return to our Father should be able to cry. in heaven. מכניסי ,In Selichos we say דמעה הכניסו דמעותינו לפני מלך מתרצה The Yismach Moshe Malachim] who]" ,בדמעות said, "A king was angry at his servants and they didn’t bring in the tears, bring know what to do to appease our tears before the King him. The king's sar who is appeased with hamashkim said, "I have the tears." solution. There's a good wine that the king loves. This can be explained I'll give him the wine, and with a mashal: Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 37

After working for a long pain that the tears of the time in a store, the Jewish nation contain. And salesperson knew the store being that tears are so well, and he knew what his powerful, we want that boss would say when a only Hashem should deal customer asks for a with them. deduction or some other special arrangement. As the Rebbe of Piascnetza zt'l, hy'd, (who One day, the boss told was killed in the Holocaust) the salesperson, "When a said, "Did a malach ever consumer wants a reduction experience the pain of or another special deal, you being beaten up, as Yidden don't have to ask me for have experienced? Does a permission anymore, malach know the because you know what I humiliation of being will say. But that is solely pursued and hunted? Did for minor matters. a malach ever experience However, if a businessman the pain of hunger?" comes to the store and he desires to do big business Therefore, we tell the with us, you don't have malachim to daven for us but when (השתדלו והרבה תחינה) authorization to make those decisions on your it comes to our tears, they own. All you can do is should kindly just bring usher the businessman into them before Hashem. They my office for a meeting." shouldn’t get involved with the tears, at all. Similarly, we tell the malachim that they mustn't Tears Rouse Kavanah tend to our tears. All they can do is take our tears and The Alef HaMagen (582:45 bring them before Hashem. and see Maaseh Rav, Gr'a 207) The malachim aren't able to writes that if by nature one understand the depth, is unable to cry, he should sincerity, yearning, and pray on Rosh Hashanah in 38 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah a sobbing voice, like one Tears of Joy who is crying. This will awaken his kavanah and it Reb Chaim Vital zt'l will arouse his merits writes, "Although Rosh Above. As it states (Tehillim Hashanah is a yom tov, the Hashem Arizal would cry a lot" ,כי שמע ה' קול בכיי ,(6:9 heard the voice of my cries." during the tefillos of Rosh It isn't an actual cry. Hashanah. On Yom Kippur, Nevertheless, Hashem he cried even more. He hears the voice of the cries. would say that if one doesn’t cry on these days, As we wrote above, the it's a sign that his neshamah Gemara (Bava Metzia 59) isn't complete." states that the gates of tefillah are locked, but the gates of tears remain Crying isn't a opened. contradiction to the joy of yom tov. The Chasam Sofer (crying) בכי'ה Reb Eliyahu Dessler zt'l zt’l taught that בשמך יגילון כל explains that the gates of is roshei teivos In Your name we“ ,היום tefillah are open. The problem is that the gates to rejoice all day long.” our hearts are closed, and we don’t daven with Rebbe Pinchas Koritzer kavanah. But when we cry explains that when one is (or when we daven in a crying happy, he is able to cry voice), this arouses our whenever he wants to. It kavanah, and the gates of isn't crying from fear or heaven are open to receive distress, rather it is from a our tefillah. yearning for Hashem.21

notes that in (תס"ט Rebbe Pinchas of Koritz zt’l (Imrei Pinchas .21 Nechemyah (8:10) it states that we should be happy on Rosh Hashanah. However, the Arizal teaches that if someone doesn’t Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 39

honey on his shofar, and called out to דבש We eat Rosh Hashanah. The Rebbe the women's section, "The of Gostinen zt’l said that shofar needs to be rinsed," .and they all cried שימה דמעתי is roshei teivos דב"ש Put my tears in Your“ ,בנאדך bag.” It shouldn’t surprise The Arvei Nachal zy'a us that the tears are implied told the following mashal: ,honey ,דבש in the word because every part of Rosh A king was traveling Hashanah, including tears, with his son in a distant is sweetened with deep country, and he told his happiness.22 son, "Be cautious, because I have enemies here who Tears with the Shofar want to hurt us."

One year, the But the prince wasn't Bardichover Rav zy'a raised cautious, and evil people

cry on Rosh Hashanah it’s a sign his neshamah isn’t complete. The answer is that it is similar to the joy of a chasunah. The simchah is great, but there's fear there as well, as they hope the marriage will be successful, peaceful, etc. Similarly, on this great day of judgment, the day the world was created, there is immense joy, because renews, His meluchah (kingship), and we, human ,מחדש Hashem is beings, made of earth, have the privilege to announce Hashem as the king. Is there a greater joy than that? On the other hand, we cry, because we don’t know what the future holds. שימי is roshei teivos for דבש Rebbe Naftali of Melitz zt'l said that .22 Place my tears in Your pouch." He explained: When" ,דמעתי בנאדך Hashem desires to write good things for the Jewish nation, the שימי ,Satan dries the inkwell, and the ink doesn’t write. We request Place a drop of our tears into Your inkwell, and then" ,דמעתי בנאדך you will be able to write with it." ,אב הרחמן is gematriya דבש Rebbe Moshe of Kobrin zt’l said that compassionate Father. 40 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah kidnapped the prince and The prince threw held him captive. another stone, and this time the wall fell down. The The prince knew the king heard the prince's day, each year, when the shouts and saved him. king passed through that country. The prince planned The Arvei Nachal to shout on that designated explains that the shofar has day. The king would hear the potential to break down him and save him. the iron walls that separate us from our Father in His kidnappers knew heaven and to bring the the prince's plan, so they long awaited geulah. But it put him in an iron room, doesn’t seem to be working, where his voice couldn't be though. Why? The answer heard. is that the shofar works The child had special together with tears. It will stones that he received not function fully when one from his father, years blows it without a broken before. These stones had a heart and tears. segulah that when they are thrown at an iron wall, the As we wrote above, if wall collapses. one can't cry, he can pretend to cry. The main thing is As the king passed that they should be tears of through the city, his son yearning and joy, and not was throwing the stones at tears of worry and distress. the iron walls, but the walls The tears, combined with didn’t fall down. This was the call of the shofar, knock because only clean stones down all iron barriers. have this special power, and his stones weren't clean. Tehillim The child cried, and his Klal Yisrael has a custom tears fell on the stones, to say more Tehillim these cleansing them. days.23 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 41

Throughout Rosh The Brisker Rav zt'l also Hashanah, the Baal used every spare moment HaTanya zy'a was busy of Rosh Hashanah to say with either his machzor or Tehillim (as we mentioned with his Tehillim. above).

23. There is a segulah to say the entire Tehillim twice on the first night of Rosh Hashanah. I know people who have practiced this segulah, and saw miracles. The magid, Reb Ben Tzion Yadler zt’l, gathered a group of older bachurim on the night of Rosh Hashanah and they said the entire Tehillim twice. All of them got engaged shortly thereafter. There’s an askan in Eretz Yisrael who had two boys and a girl in shidduchim and nothing was progressing. They didn’t even hear offers. They did this segulah, and the three were engaged that year. A yungerman told me that his wife suffered from an illness, and every few weeks she was hospitalized. One year he did this segulah, and she never returned to the hospital for that illness again. Another person, who had the privilege of marrying off all his children, had three couples who didn’t have any children. The father did this segulah, he said Tehillim twice on Rosh Hashanah night, and that year all three of them were blessed with a child. I’ve heard several other stories of people who received their salvation with this segulah. Obviously, this is a very hard segulah to do, and it isn't advised for everyone. If keeping this custom will prevent you from being awake and alert by the tefillos, it is probably better to refrain from doing it. It is more important to daven with kavanah. However, even if one can't say the entire Tehillim twice, one can say some Tehillim on Rosh Hashanah night (and over the two days of Rosh Hashanah). Another idea is for a family to divide the Tehillim between themselves, so they say the entire Tehillim twice, jointly. 42 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah

The Emek HaMelech In the morning, the zt’l writes the following chacham told the people of story: the town his dream. Those who escaped survived. In a village near Leport, Those who remained there lived a simple person perished. who only knew Tanach. He was niftar at an old age, The Emek HaMelech and thirty days after his concludes, “From the day demise, he came to the my father heard this story, chacham and tzaddik of the he would say the entire city in a dream, holding an Tehillim each week, because old Tehillim. The chacham whoever says Tehillim asked, “Aren’t you the regularly saves himself, his person we buried recently?” family, and his generation from all kinds of sorrows. “Yes, it is I.” He brings down bounty, “What’s that sefer under brachos, and hatzlachos. your arm?” Fortunate is the one who is who does ,זוכה ומזכה הרבים “It’s a Tehillim. I came to good for himself and for tell you to warn the people others." of the town where I lived, that they should escape. The Noam Elimelech When I was alive, I said the writes, "Some people ask, entire Tehillim daily.24 I did ‘How can a tzaddik pray this for several years, and for an ill person and the my Tehillim protected the sick person becomes entire town. But now they better?’ The answer is that don’t have this protection man is connected to all anymore.” worlds. When he sins, he

24. The Shlah's version of this story is that he would finish Tehilim once each week. Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 43 becomes detached from his attached to the world of connection above, and the compassion called Tehillah). result is that he becomes There is no Satan there and ill, rachmana litzlan. When there are no problems." the tzaddik davens, he reconnects the person to These amazing words his source, to where he was give us a glimpse at the before. Automatically, he wonders of Tehillim. When becomes healed. However we say Tehillim, we are sometimes, the tzaddik's being connected to a place tefillah doesn’t help, chalilah, where there is only because there is a kitrug. compassion. Therefore, [There are prosecuting with Tehillim, we can attain angels in heaven who all our needs. prevent the person from becoming reconnected to Simanim his source in heaven, due to his sins]. When this Shulchan Aruch (583:1) occurs, he needs to become states, “One should eat on רוביא...כרתי, Rosh Hashanah עולם הגדול attached to the When he eats .סלקא, תמרי, קרא to the great world ,הנקרא תהלה יהי רצון he should say רוביא called 'Tehillah', because the כרתי When he eats .שירבו זכויתנו that world is solely a great …יכרתו שונאינו light, and the mekatrigim he should say (prosecuting angels) aren't Some have the custom to able to get in his way. In eat an apple sweetened in תתחדש ,that world there is solely honey, and to say Make this“ ,עלינו שנה טובה מתוקה and ,רחמים גמורים ,compassion everything is fixed. This is new year a good, sweet the reason Dovid year”, and that is the HaMelech's songs are popular custom. Some eat נרבה ,because with pomegranates and say ,תהלים called And the custom is .זכיות כרימון them, one can accomplish everything (because when one to eat fatty meat and all says Tehillim, he becomes types of sweet foods.” 44 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah

The Mishnah Berurah is reminded to daven for a writes, “There are those sweet, good year, and he who don’t cook sour foods does teshuvah to merit this. on Rosh Hashanah, such as It is the same with all the borsht and the like. Those simanim. They are who eat fish as a segula that reminders to do teshuvah we should multiply like and to pray for these fish, shouldn’t cook it in matters. vinegar.”25 Reb Shlomo Kluger’s The origin of this (Chachmas Shlomo) approach is concept is the Gemara that these foods show our bitachon that it will surely סימנא ,Krisus 6) that states) .a sign has be a sweet, good year ,מילתא הוא significance. More than the foods, it’s the bitachon in one’s heart, The meforshim elaborate combined with his words, on how making simanim which make it a good year. has an effect on the year. He writes, “The idea isn’t The Eliyahu Rabba that eating these foods is a (quoted in Mishnah Berurah) tefillah, because eating isn't writes, “The Shlah teaches a tefillah. Rather, we eat that these signs remind the these foods to illustrate our person to rouse himself to trust that Hashem will give do teshuvah and to pray for us a good year. We eat these matters.” these sweet, good foods, and we say on them [that it For example, when he should be a good year] so eats the apple in honey, he if chas veshalom there was a

25. As we write above, Rebbe Pinchas of Koritz zt’l explains that we don’t eat sour foods on Rosh Hashanah because we don’t want to make a sour face on this day. We want to show solely expressions of pleasure and satisfaction, as a good sign for the upcoming year. Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 45 harsh decree, it will be friend, let's swim around turned over for good, by the world and listen in our words. Amen, so shall from behind the curtain [of be His will.” heaven] to know which punishments are coming to So according to Reb the world.” Shlomo Kluger, the simanim are demonstrations of our The other soul said she bitachon. We express our can’t swim around the bitachon with words, and world, since she is buried this turns over all harsh in a mat of reeds. decrees for the good. So one soul went alone Reb Shlomo Kluger and when she returned she adds, “On Rosh Hashanah, said to her friend, "Heaven after shacharis, one should decreed that all crops planted by the first rain ,כל מה דעביד רחמנא לטב עביד ,say ‘Everything Hashem does will be ruined by hail." וגם זו לטובה ’.is for the good 'This, too, is good.' This The chassid heard their turns things over so that conversation, and he they should truly be good.” planted his field by the second rain. Everyone's The Primary Siman crop was ruined except for his. The Gemara (Brachos 18) tells us, "A chassid gave a The next year he dinar to a poor person on returned to the cemetery erev Rosh Hashanah. His and he heard the souls wife was angry with him speaking again. One asked for doing so, so that night the other to join her on her he slept in the cemetery. travels to heaven, to hear He heard two neshamos what will be decreed that (who were buried in the year. Like the previous cemetary) speaking with year, the other said she each other. One said, “My can’t travel, because she 46 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah was buried in a mat of When we think about reeds. So the soul went by this Gemara, we understand herself. She returned and that the chassid had terrible said, "I heard from heaven simanim on his Rosh that the crops planted by Hashanah. We can't the second rain will be imagine worse simanim! destroyed by disease His wife was angry at him (shidafon)." and he ended up sleeping in a cemetery! But despite the bad signs, he became That year everyone wealthy two years in a planted by the second rain. row! This is because even (They remembered that the more important than the previous year only the chassid’s foods we eat, is the person's crops prospered because he disposition. This chassid planted by the second rain, so remained happy, despite they planted that year before the having to sleep in the second rain.) graveyard because his wife was angry with him. His And this time, the happiness brought him chassid planted before the two successful years. first rains. His crops grew well and everyone else’s As we see, the primary harvest was ruined.26 siman is joy. As the Mishnah

26. The Iyun Yaakov explains, "It seems to me that the chassid [slept in the cemetery] because he was afraid that if he remains at home, he might quarrel with his wife on Rosh Hashanah [and it certainly isn't a good siman to fight on Rosh Hashanah night]. He didn’t want to sleep in somebody else's house, to protect his wife's honor. He chose to sleep in the cemetery so no one should know about the fight.

"In the merit of tzedakah [that he gave to the poor] he was rewarded, because he heard the spirits, and he knew when to plant…" Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 47

Berurah writes, “We do the was going wrong. The simanim for a good siman becher filled for Kiddush on our year. Therefore, it’s spilled on the table, before obvious that one must be he was able to say Kiddush. cautious that he doesn’t When he was cutting become angry during these challah, the challah slipped days. In addition to the from his hand to the floor. severe sin, one must make a good sign for the new His rebbetzin didn’t year. Instead, he should be serve fish that night, happy and he should trust because it burned. in Hashem." She said, "I'm afraid that People in Yerushalayim these are bad simanim. So would say, “If an apple many negative things are dipped in honey is a sign happening." for a sweet year, the same Her husband replied, way, if a person makes “The main siman is a happy himself a ‘sweet Yid,’ by disposition. We eat meat keeping a smile on his face and sweet foods on Rosh and by greeting others Hashanah because these warmly, what better sign foods make us happy, and for the new year could happiness is a good siman there be?” for the upcoming year. The The Nesivos Shalom main siman is not what we zy'a told the following eat, rather the happiness story: we have. Baruch Hashem, despite everything, we are One Rosh Hashanah happy. So we have a very night, in the home of a good siman for the coming certain tzaddik, everything year.”27

27. Someone told Reb Mordechai Chaim Slonimer zt’l that he doesn’t have enough money to buy a head of a fish, and he is 48 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah

Why Are We Happy on weren’t keeping the Torah ויאמר ,Rosh Hashanah? properly. It states נחמיה...ועזרא הכהן...לכל העם היום קדוש הוא לה' אלקיכם אל תתאבלו ואל We've already stated a תבכו כי בוכים כל העם כשמעם את דברי few of the reasons, and we Nechamya and Ezra“ ,התורה will repeat them briefly here, adding a few new said to the nation, ‘This is a reasons: holy day for Hashem. 1) It's a mitzvah to be Don’t mourn and don’t happy, since it's Yom Tov. cry,’ because the entire nation cried when they ויאמר להם לכו .An early source for the heard the Torah אכלו משמנים ושתו ממתקים.. כי קדוש joy on Rosh Hashanah is היום לאדונינו ואל תעצבו כי חדות ד' היא the pesukim in Nechemyah Eat fatty foods and' ,מעוזכם Rosh Hashanah .(8:9-10) morning, Ezra read the drink sweet drinks… sefer Torah before the entire because it is a holy day for nation, and they were all our Master. Don’t be sad. crying, because they Your joy with Hashem is recognized that they your strength.’”28

worried how he will succeed that year without this siman.

Reb Mordechai Chaim told him, “Buy a fish tail (which is called an May it be Hashem's will that it' יהי רצון ,end, in Yiddish) and pray ,עק ”'.end, of all our suffering ,עק should finally be the

explains that we don’t (ד"ה אתם The Avodas Yisrael zt’l (Netzavim .28 fall on our faces and say tachanun on erev Rosh Hashanah, because a person shouldn’t have a fallen face, these days. He should be happy and trust in Hashem.

The formation .הוי"ה Each month has a formation of Hashem’s name The Magen Avraham (of Trisk) zt’l explains that .והי"ה for Tishrei is represents joy, and we are והיה this is because Chazal tell us that supposed to be happy this month. Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 49

An even earlier source The Chasam Sofer zt’l is from the pasuk (Devarim proves that Rosh Hashanah Rosh is a Yom Tov from the .ושמחת בחגיך ,(16:15 ,(as it states Mishnah (Rosh Hashanah 4:1 ,חג Hashanah is a The .יום טוב של ראש השנה .בכסה ליום חגנו ,(Tehillim 81:4) Therefore, the Mishnah Mishnah calls it a Yom Berurah (597:1) and the Tov, therefore we must be 29 Shaagas Aryeh (62) say happy. applies to Rosh ושמחת בחגך Hashanah, too. There's a 2) We have bitachon that mitzvah from the Torah to Hashem will give us a be happy on this day. good year.30

29. The Chasam Sofer zy'a writes that it is obvious that one should be happy on Rosh Hashanah since it is a Yom Tov. Why did Ezra and Nechemyah have to teach the nation to be happy?

He answers that the Gemara (Rosh Hashanah 19) says, "From after Ezra's time, Elul was never me'uber – thirty days." That year, Elul had thirty days instead of the usual twenty-nine. This means the first day of Rosh Hashanah was the last day of Elul. It wasn't a regular Rosh Hashanah. The first day was the final day of the previous month. Therefore Ezra and Nechemyah had to tell the nation to be happy on that day. But there was no need to tell them to be happy on a standard Rosh Hashanah, as that is obvious, as it is a Yom Tov.

,Vayikra 23:24) the Seforno writes) זכרון תרועה On the words .30 “Although, on this day, Hashem sits on his throne of judgment, it is proper that we should rejoice even more, because He is our King, and He will seek to do kindness with us and to judge us כי ה' שופטנו ה' מחוקקנו ה' מלכנו ,with merit, in His judgment. As it states Hashem is our judge… Hashem is our King, and He will‘ ,הוא יושעינו save us.’” 50 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah

The Tur (581, quoting a Many people find this Midrash) writes, "No nation surprising. The judgment compares to this nation… is so awesome. Our future When a person is on trial, and the future of our and his life is being judged, families and the future of he will wear black clothing, Klal Yisrael is being let his beard grow, and he determined. How can we won't cut his nails, because be happy? he doesn’t know what will But we are happy, be decided in the judgment. because it is our Father in But the Jewish nation, on heaven who is judging us, the day of their judgment, and He wants to grant us they wear white clothes, goodness. He seeks ways, shave their beards, cut their within the rules of justice, nails, and they eat, drink, to grant us a good year. and are happy on Rosh The fear is great, and fear Hashanah, because they of Hashem should be upon know Hakadosh Baruch our faces throughout Rosh Hu will make a miracle for Hashanah. But laced within them." our fear is immense joy.31

31. The Sma’k teaches that there’s a custom to wear white clothing on Rosh Hashanah because they resemble tachrichim (shrouds), to help us maintain the joy of Rosh Hashanah in the correct proportions.

Reb Moshe Chaim of Slonim zt'l would say to those who were excessively afraid of the Days of Awe, "It isn't a band of thieves who are seated in the court, up in heaven. It is our Father in heaven, and we can trust that He will save His children."

There was a bachur who was very afraid of the judgment of Rosh Hashanah because of his sins. The Chazon Ish zt'l asked the bachur, "When Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbos, why don’t we say Tashlich?" Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 51

3) Happiness is a good from reaching the president. siman for the new year. He jumped over all of them and spoke with the 4) We are also happy president for a few because Hashem meets moments. The police with every Yid on Rosh caught up and arrested Hashanah. And that is him, but he says it was all reason to celebrate. worth it, for the few To explain this, we moments he spoke with begin with a story that the the president. Pnei Menachem zt'l related: L'havdil, on Rosh Someone heard that the Hashanah every Yid passes like ,כבני מרון president was just a few before Hashem blocks away. He jumped sheep passing by, in a into his car, passed two red single file. The fear is lights, and committed immense, our deeds are several other driving being reviewed, but it is all violations to have the worth it, to have a moment privilege to meet with the with Hashem. president. There were many body guards and The Sfas Emes (5639) obstacles preventing him writes, “Although they

The bachur replied that the Mishnah Berurah (583:8) teaches, "When the first day of Rosh Hashanah is Shabbbos, they go to the river on the second day. Perhaps this is because the river is outside the city, and it is forbidden to carry. People generally take along machzorim to Tashlich. Therefore the chachamim established they should go on the next day (Pri Megadim)."

The Chazon Ish told him, "For you, the problem isn't only that you are carrying the machzor. For you, it is also that you are carrying your sins. Because I see you're carrying a heavy burden of sin on your shoulders." 52 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah know that Hashem is is the greatest good that judging them, nevertheless, we can receive from every Yid understands that Hashem.”32 it is a great merit to be remembered by Hashem… 6) On Rosh Hashanah, and they consider it we crown Hashem as King worthwhile to be judged of the world, and we are by Him, just to have the joyous to have that merit that Hashem will privilege. As Rebbe Pinchas אין לך חיך ,think about them. Since Koritzer zt'l said There is nothing“ ,מתוק מזה they feel privileged and happy that Hashem is sweeter than that.” thinking of them, Hashem remembers them for good. 7) The Chinuch (311) Hashem leaves His throne explains that Rosh of justice and sits on His Hashanah is a happy day, throne of compassion. because on this day, They deserve this, because Hashem removes our sins. they understand that He writes, “Hashem does having Hashem think kindness for His creations about them in His judgment and…reviews their deeds,

32. At the beginning of sefer BaMidbar, Hashem told Moshe and Aharon to count the Jewish people. One of the reasons for this census, writes the Ramban (Bamibdar 1:45) is so they can stand before Moshe and Aharon. Standing before these two great tzaddikim was a great benefit for the Jewish nation. The Ramban writes, "When one comes before the greatest navi [Moshe] and his brother, Aharon] and he tells them his name, this will be a] ,קדוש ה' the merit for him and life, because he is being enlisted and counted together with the Jewish nation. Moshe and Aharon will look at them with a good eye and pray for them…"

Similarly, to be in Hashem's presence is a blessing in itself, which results in spiritual and material success. Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 53 one day each year, before should have a happy heart their sins become too filled with thoughts of many… Their sins are still teshuvah, love, deveikus, few, and therefore Hashem and he should cry from בשמך יגילון כל ,forgives them. Even if joy. As it states In Your name we“ ,היום there are sins that need to be cleansed, He punishes rejoice all day long.” The ,בכי"ה slowly, little by little. As first letters spell Chazal say (Avodah Zarah 4.), crying. But sadness ‘To the one he loves, he shouldn’t be experienced punishes little by little.’ If at all on Rosh Hashanah, He wouldn’t remember because sadness is them [once a year], rather associated with kelipah, din, only once in a long while, and we shouldn’t arouse their sins would be so din on this day.” many, the world would almost be destroyed, The Mahari’l teaches chalilah. So Rosh Hashanah that the first day of Rosh very ,דינא קשיא is a very special day. Hashanah is Because of it the world severe and harsh dinim. ,דינא רפיא continues to exist. The second day is Therefore, it is proper to a softer judgment. make this day a Yom Tov. It is among the special The Shaul u’Meishiv (מהדורה רביעא ח"ג קכ"ה) ".Yomim Tovim of the year disagrees. He writes, “This דינא The Chasam Sofer zt’l idea that the first day is is difficult, because ,קשיא writes (כ"ז אלול תק"ע) “Although Rosh Hashanah there are clear proofs that is an awesome and it isn’t a harsh day, at all. fearsome day, the Day of The halachah is that we Judgment for the entire say shehechiyanu this day, world, it isn’t a sad day. and we wouldn’t say On the contrary, one shehechiyanu if it wasn’t a 54 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah day of joy.33 We don’t say remembered [to bear shehechiyanu in sefiras children] and all goodness ha’omer, because there isn’t and holy bounty comes 34 joy, due to the Churban from this day…” Beis haMikdash. If the first day would be a sad day, a Fear day of dinim, we wouldn’t Together with our joy, say shehechiyanu. Therefore, we have immense fear. It’s a day .דינא קשיא it isn’t when Hashem forgives our As the Chinuch (ibid.) sins. It is a holy day. On writes, "However, being this day the imahos were that it is a day of judgment,

on the shofar שהחיינו According to the Raavad, one doesn’t say .33 because of the fear of the judgment.

We follow the opinions that we do say shehechiyanu.

Shulchan Aruch (584:2) states that it is customary that the person who blows shofar should have an aliyah. The Levush explains, Torah makes people happy, and thereby, he ,פקודי ה' ישרים משמחי לב will be able to blow the shofar with joy.

34. The Navi (Shmuel 1) tells that Chanah was sad because she didn’t have children. Her husband, Elkanah, told her, "Why do you cry? Why aren't you eating? Why are you sad? I am better for you than ten children."

The Navi tells us that she ate a little, but she was still very upset. She went to Mishkan Shilo to daven for children. After her tefillos she ate, and she didn’t have" ,ותאכל ופניה לא היו לה עוד ,the Navi writes a sad face again." She succeeded in finding happiness in her life despite her misery, and the Chasam Sofer teaches that in this On" ,בר"ה נפקדה שרה רחל וחנה ,merit she had her salvation. Chazal say Rosh Hashanah…Chanah was remembered," to bear a child, and it was in the merit of her happiness. Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 55 it is proper to have fear, The Rambam (Pirush more than the other Yomim HaMishnayos Rosh Hashanah 4) Tovim… This is the reason writes, "Hallel isn't said on we don’t say Hallel on this Rosh Hashanah and Yom holiday… It isn’t proper to Kippur, because they are say Hallel when one is days of service, humility, standing in judgment.” fear, awe of Hashem, to escape and to run to Him, Similarly, the Mishnah teshuvah, supplications, Berurah (584:1) writes, "We requests, and forgiveness. don't say Hallel on Rosh And for all of these matters, 35 Hashanah because the joy isn't appropriate." books of life and death are opened. How can we sing Notice that the Rambam Hallel? Although we are calls Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur days of fear ,זכאי certain we will exit righteous in the judgment, and days, "to escape and nevertheless, one must be run to Hashem." Unlike afraid because of the awe most fears that cause of the judgment. In merit people to run away from of his fear, he will be what they fear, this fear to merit draws people closer to the ",לזכות remembered a good year. One we fear.

35. The following are the Rambam's holy words: שלא היו קורין בהלל לא בראש השנה ולא ביום הכיפורים לפי שהם ימי עבודה, והכנעה, ופחד, ומורא מהשם, ויראה ממנו ומברח ומנוס אליו, ותשובה, ותחנונים, ובקשה כפרה וסליחה, ובכל אלו הענינים אינו הגון השחוק והשמחה

The Chasam Sofer taught another reason why we don’t say Hallel. He says: We have a tradition that the neshamos of people's ancestors join them in their tefillos on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It the dead don’t say Hallel" therefore we" ,לא המתים יהללו י-ה ,is written don’t say Hallel on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. 56 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah

Similarly, we say in The chassid replied, “It .I was extremely frightening" ,אתכסה מחמתך בצילך ,Selichos hide from Your anger in Reishis Chachmah describes Your shadow." This is the Gehinom in detail, and the uniqueness of fear of fear is unbearable. I Hashem. It draws us in tremble, just thinking about closer. the great punishment that’s in store for each aveirah.” Reb Bunim of Peshischa zt’l writes in a letter, “These The Rebbe replied, “You days the joy and the worry don’t need to worry. We are concealed in fear. May have a compassionate Hashem grant us that it Father. When we do should be both of them teshuvah, Hashem forgives together.” us. Don't worry.” Then the Rebbe asked One must have two the other chassid to repeat opposing feelings on Rosh what he learned in Reishis Hashanah, yet they aren't Chachmah. He nonchalantly contradictory. repeated the ideas. It was obvious he wasn't afraid. The Beis Aharon of Stolin zt'l told two of his The Rebbe told him, chassidim to study Reishis "You must know that this Chachmah (Shaar HaGehinom) is only a mashal. Gehinom the section that describes is far more severe than Gehinom. He told them to that." return to him in three months to report what they There was a third learned. chassid present, and he asked the Rebbe, “You are Three months later, saying two opposing ideas, when they returned, the so what is the reality? Is Beis Aharon asked one of Gehinom frightening, as them what he learned. you told the second chassid, Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 57 or should we be calm and everyone must be very unafraid, as you told the afraid, and then Hakadosh first chassid?" Baruch Hu will do tzedakah (kindness) with him." The Rebbe replied, "If a person is afraid of Gehinom, Joy and Fear he has nothing to fear. But if he isn't afraid, then he The Rabbeinu Yonah has a lot to be afraid of." (Brachos 21.) writes, "Although in human beings Similarly, regarding the joy and fear are opposites, awesome judgment of Rosh by Hakadosh Baruch Hu it Hashanah, we should be isn't so. In fact, the fear afraid. In the merit of our increases one’s joy.” fear, Hashem will give us a good judgment. But if we Similarly, on Rosh aren't afraid, we have a lot Hashanah, we are very to be afraid of. afraid, and we are very joyous. In Hashem's The Beis Aharon service, these two emotions (Netzavim) writes, “The main aren't contradictory. thing is [that on Rosh Hashanah] everyone The sounds of the shofar should draw fear on also express fear and joy. themselves. What is the The holy sefarim write that definition of fear? [The tekiyah expresses joy, while higher form of fear] is shevarim and truah are when one recognizes sounds of a broken heart. Hashem and is close to Him. This is called yirah Yitzchak Avinu’s iloyah, divine fear [fear primary attribute was fear from Hashem’s greatness of Heaven (Pachad Yitzchak). and awesomeness]. If he Yet his name was Yitzchak, isn’t on this level, he should which means laughter, be afraid of the judgment. happiness. The Sfas Emes The main thing is that zt'l writes, "It is very 58 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah possible he was called blowing the shofar on Rosh Yitzchak because his face Hashanah is a gezeiras shone with happiness, hakasuv (a Torah decree) it is because there is no one telling us something. The עורו ישנים ,happier than the person shofar is saying wake up, from“ ,משנתכם ,who truly fears Hashem and doesn’t have any other your sleep… Examine your fear." deeds, repent. Remember your Creator, all you people who forgot the Teshuvah with Shofar truth.”36

The Rambam (Teshuvah The Or HaMeir asks 3:4) writes, "Although that if the purpose of shofar

36. Someone told me the following: "One Rosh Hashanah I was in the hospital, and someone came to blow the shofar for us. There was a non-religious Yid in the room who was intrigued by the shofar. He asked us a lot of questions about it, as he wanted to understand what the shofar was all about. Then he told us his story:

"I served in the Israeli Navy, in a submarine. Under the water, the means of communication was Morse Code. I was an expert in Morse Code. I could send and decipher messages very quickly.

"A couple of years after serving in the navy (and after spending a very long vacation in India), I saw an advertisement: The army was looking for a Morse code expert to be in charge of several submarines. To apply for the job, I had to be at a certain office between 10:00 and 12:00 in the morning. I arrived at 11:50. The room was packed with applicants, but no one was being called in. Music played in the background and I sat down for a few moments and listened. Then I got up, brazenly opened the door to the office and said, 'I came for the interview.’"

"There are many people waiting in line ahead of you," the secretary Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 59 is to arouse people to do teshuvah, why doesn’t the

said. "You just came. Please wait your turn."

"I didn’t listen to her. I walked into the room and talked with the person in charge. After speaking for a few moments, I was hired for the job."

The interviewer went out to the waiting room and said, "Thank you all for coming. and I'm sorry about the delay. Anyway, we've already hired someone. You can all go home."

"That isn't fair” they all shouted. “This man came in last. Why did you interview him before us?"

"Didn't you hear the music? Listen carefully. Don’t you get it? It's Morse Code. It says: 'If you've come for the interview, just open the door and come inside.' This man heard the message. You didn’t. So you're obviously not fluent enough in the language."

The irreligious man in the hospital said that he thinks the shofar is speaking a language, only it needs to be deciphered. If you could hear its words, you would hear the shofar telling us, “Just open the door and come inside. Come to Hashem. He is waiting for you.”

Returning to the story: One person said, "I heard the Morse code in the music, but I decided not to open the door because I saw no one else was."

"That's not a valid excuse," the interviewer told him. "If you heard the message, you should have come in. Why do you care what other people are doing?"

Similarly, the shofar tells us to do teshuvah and it will be inexcusable to say, "I heard the shofar's message, but I decided not to act upon it, since I didn’t see anyone else doing teshuvah." That's not a valid excuse. If you understand the shofar's call, open the door and come close to Hashem. You can disregard what others are doing. 60 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah

Torah say that the rabbanim ran to put out the fire, of each beis medresh because a fire could should deliver a drashah to consume all their meager arouse people to do belongings. teshuvah? What is special with the shofar? The Or HaMeir explains that if the mitzvah would The Or HaMeir answers be for the rav of every with a mashal: congregation to give a A lad was hired to be mussar drashah on Rosh the town crier. He sat on a Hashanah, many people hilltop, and if he saw would think, “The rav isn't thieves or any other tragedy speaking to me.” he rang his bells and For example, if the rav shouted, to warn the would speak about the townspeople down below. importance of hasmadah in Once, the lad saw Torah study, some listeners thieves. He rang his bell will say, “I'm glad the rav and shouted, "Ganavim! is speaking about this, Thieves! Thieves are because there are many approaching!" The wealthy people here who should be people frantically went to studying more." He doesn't save their properties. The think the drashah applies to poor people, however, him, he thinks he studies weren’t worried. They enough. knew that the thieves If the rav speaks about weren't after their meager tefillah, giving tzedakah, belongings. good middos, and so on, There was another time there will always be those when the lad shouted, who think the rav is "Fire! There's a fire!" This speaking to others and not time, even the poor people to them.37

37. Someone came to a gadol and told him about his shalom bayis Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 61

phrased שומע Therefore, the Torah 3)Why is while ,קול שופר tells us to blow shofar. The together with ?תרועה goes with מאזין shofar shouts, "There's a fire! We're in danger!" And ואין this is a call for everyone. 4) Why is this phrase There is no one like" ,דומה לך ,It's a call without words and everyone is inspired to You", added to this brachah? repent.

The Pri Megadim (592:1, The Struggle quoting Reb Chaim Rappaport In mussaf of Rosh zt'l of Lemberg) answers: כי אתה ,Hashanah we say is to listen from מאזין (1 שומע קול שופר ומאזין תרועה ואין דומה is to listen שומע You listen to the sound nearby, and" ,לך of the shofar and you listen from the distance. As האזינה ,to the teruah, and there is Moshe Rabbeinu said The“ ,השמים... ותשמע הארץ ".no One like You heaven shall listen... The We begin with some earth should hear...” was ,איש אלקים questions: Moshe, the both closer to heaven than to the מאזין and שומע(1 mean "to listen," but there earth, therefore when he is certainly a difference spoke to heaven he said that they should ,האזינה between them. What is the difference? listen from nearby. To the ,ותשמע הארץ earth he called and that they should hear from קול שופר What is the(2 .the distance ?תרועה what is the

problems. The gadol told him, "The solution is to be mevater. You have to be mevater."

The man replied, "I know, and I tell that to my wife all the time, but she doesn't get it. Maybe the rav can tell her!" 62 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah

is the tekiyah, imperfect people. But קול שופר (2 listens from ,מאזין the one unbroken call, and Hashem is it represents the teshuvah of nearby to the imperfect tzaddikim who make one people who struggle to do strong resolve to become His will. better, and they never fall from it. On Rosh Hashanah, we blow the shofar thirty times (תקיעות דמיושב) is the hesitant, before mussaf תרועה halting sound, representing and then we blow again .(תקיעות דמעומד) the baalei teshuvah who during mussaf have ups and downs. The Gemara asks why we Sometimes they tread on blow both times. The the path of teshuvah and Gemara (Rosh Hashanah 16) sometimes they revert to replies, "It’s to confuse the their old ways. Satan."

Tosfos (quoting the כי ,The brachah says (3 For the Yerushalmi) explains, "It is .אתה שומע קול שופר והיה ביום ההוא יתקע בשופר ,tzaddikim, Hashem listens written On that day, a great גדול. to their teshuvah from the distance. shofar will be blown…” The Satan is afraid of that Hashem hears shofar of the future, because ,ומאזין תרועה from nearby the teshuvah of when it is blown, he will be the baalei teshuvah. judged and slaughtered. no One When the Satan hears the ,ואין דומה לך (4 compares to Hashem, first set of tekiyos, “He is because only Hashem will afraid and he isn't afraid.” be nearer to the imperfect (He fears that this might be the teshuvah of the baalei shofar heralding the future, teshuvah than to the perfect when the Satan will be teshuvah of the tzaddikim. slaughtered, but he isn't certain). When he hears the shofar a A human king doesn’t second time, the Satan says, pay attention to the 'This must be the Shofar Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 63

Gadol. The time has come. I certainly the Shofar Gadol of will be destroyed.' Moshiach." Confused and frightened, he isn't able to say kitrug The Gemara (Rosh (lashon hara on the Jewish Hashanah 16) asks, “Why do people)." we blow shofar with a ?(שופר של איל) ram's horn Why does the Satan Hakadosh Baruch Hu says, becomes so afraid when he ‘Blow for Me with a ram’s hears the shofar? Doesn’t shofar so I will remember he remember from last akeidas Yitzchok, and I will year, and from the years consider it as though you before, that every year on were bound on the akeidah Rosh Hashanah we blow before Me.”38 shofar? Why does he suspect that this year will We wonder, that if the be different? purpose of the shofar is to remind Heaven of akeidas The Satmar Rebbe zy'a Yitzchak, wouldn’t any part answered that in each of the ram do? For example, generation it becomes the Torah could have told harder to serve Hashem, us to take a foot of the ram, and that makes our avodas or any other limb. Why do Hashem all the more we specifically perform the precious to Hashem. The mitzvah with the horns? Satan thinks, "This year, the Jewish nation is more It's because the ram's precious than ever before. horns were caught in a The shofar I'm hearing is bush, and it couldn’t get

38. By Akeidas Yitzchak, Avraham sacrificed a ram. As it states, וישא אברהם את עיניו וירא והנה איל אחר נאחז בסבך בקרניו וילך אברהם ויקח את האיל ויעלהו Avraham raised his eyes and saw a ram, its horns were"לעלה תחת בנו, caught in the bush. Avraham went, took the ram, and sacrificed it instead of his son" (Bereishis 22:13). 64 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah out. This represents our hinting that shofar is challenges and struggles. mesugal for parnassah. The shofar was chosen for the mitzvah, because Shofar is also mesugal Hashem desires our for the barren to bear struggle. children. The Baal HaTanya zy'a Segulos of Tekiyas Shofar taught that the letters after This implies .שופר are עקרה Shofar is mesugal for that shofar is mesugal for parnassah. the barren to bear children. As the Gemara (Rosh Hashanah בראש השנה נפקדה שרה ,The Shaar HaMelech 11.) states Sarah, Rachel and" ,רחל וחנה writes, “Before the (3:2) brachah for tekiyas shofar, Chanah were remembered rouse yourself to cry a lot, to bear children, on Rosh especially when answering Hashanah." amen after the brachah, because that's when it is As the Zera Kodesh decided how much money writes, "On Rosh Hashanah, you will get this year.” the day the world was created, it is a time mesugal for the barren ,פקידות עקרות The Gemara (Shabbos 117) for to be remembered to bear שופר ורדיית הפת חכמה היא ,says ".Blowing shofar children" ,ואינו מלאכה and removing bread from the walls of an oven require In the Mussaf Shemonah מי לא נפקד כהיום ,talent, but they aren’t Esrei we say The Imrei Noam zt'l ,הזה ”.[melachos [on Shabbos Why does the Gemara teaches that the roshei teivos which ,הנ"ך is נפקד כהיום הזה juxtapose blowing shofar of and taking out bread? is Hashem's name for הנך ,pregnancies, as it states Behold you will be" ,הרה The Tiferes Shlomo explains that the Gemara is pregnant…" This hints that Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 65

that) וה' פקד את שרה Rosh Hashanah is a time we read when Hashem remembers Hashem remembered Sarah, to the barren, to bless them grant her a child) it is mesugal to bring ,פקידת עקרות with children. for down the salvation for .bearing children ,וידגו לרוב בקרב הארץ ,It states "They shall multiply like fish…" Tzaddikim taught The segulah stated in Chazal for shofar, is that it רוב בקרב that the gematriya of rouses Hashem to leave the .ראש השנה is הארץ throne of justice and to sit ,on the throne of rachamim כמה ,we say נתנה תוקף In .The Tiferes compassion .יעברון וכמה יבראון Shlomo zt'l translated these ,As the Midrash states ,כמה יעברון :words as follows Hashem judges how many "When the Jewish people take the shofar and blow it ,עיבור women will enter before Hakadosh Baruch וכמה .pregnancy, that year and on Rosh Hashanah Hu, He stands up from the יבראון there's a judgment how throne of judgment and many people will become sits on the throne of ".healthy, and cured compassion ,בריא from their illnesses. The Ahavas Shalom zt'l The Pnei Menachem zt'l explains how this happens: told a yungerman who was waiting several years for Hashem finds Himself children, that he should sitting on the chair of judgment to judge the ,כמה יעברון have kavanah by a Jewish people, and Hashem ,בדוק ומנוסה for this is a tested and proven segulah, asks Himself, "How did I to be beneficial for the get here? Why should I be barren to bear children. judging the Jewish people whom I love?" Hashem The Apter Rav zt'l (Ohev realizes that the Satan Yisrael) teaches that when convinced Him to judge 66 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah them. Hashem says, "If the The kohen gadol, Satan is so talented, however, may wear gold powerful, and influential, clothing outside the Kodesh that he can convince even Kadoshim. Gold becomes Me to judge the Jewish an issue only when he nation, then the Jewish stands in the Holy of people aren't guilty for Holies. their aveiros. How can they stand up against such a The Gemara (Rosh cunning Satan?" Hashanah 26) teaches that one cannot use an ox horn for a shofar, as the ox horn will With this thought, remind heaven of the egel. Hashem abandons the throne of judgment and The Gemara asks that sits on his throne of the kohen gadol was only compassion. forbidden to wear gold inside the Kodshei The Rambam writes, "I, Kadoshim. So why are we Moshe ben Maimon, when concerned about blowing the time for shofar came, the shofar outside the took the shofar in my hand Kodesh Kadoshim? and I thought about Who The Gemara answers, commanded us to do this Since" ,כיון דלזכרון הוא כבפנים דמי mitzvah. My knees knocked the shofar rouses Hashem's against each other from memory (to remember our fear, and then I began to good deeds, and His love to us, blow shofar." etc.), it is as if it is being blown inside the Kodshei Yom Kippur, the kohen Kadoshim." gadol didn’t wear gold clothing when he did the The Sfas Emes zt’l avodah in the Kodesh quotes this Gemara and Kadoshim, because the recommends that when we gold clothing would hear the shofar, we should remind Heaven of the listen with great awe, golden calf. similar to the awe and fear Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 67 one would have when he see in this story that was so enters the Kodesh outstanding? Kadoshim. Most chassidim assumed that the story Rebbe Yechiel of Moosh teaches concern for one's zy'a once went to the bimah fellow man. Because Reb to blow shofar and saw Yechiel of Moosh was through the window a about to blow shofar, his davar acheir (pig) eating in a emotions and fervor to Jewish field. He said, "I perform the mitzvah were will not blow shofar until at a peak, but this didn’t the davar acheir is removed cause him to ignore his from the Jewish field." fellow man's needs. His fellow man's property was Some people left the being damaged, and he beis medresh, chased the wouldn’t blow the shofar davar acheir from the field, until that was taken care and when they returned, of. Rebbe Yechiel blew shofar. Reb Mottel Slonimer This story was repeated zy'a corrected them. He each year by the Slonimer said, "Why don’t you tzaddikim zy'a. The Beis understand! Reb Yechiel of Avraham of Slonim zy'a Moosh was saying that he's would say, "Such a story of not blowing shofar until the Moosher (Reb Yechiel of the davar acheir, the yetzer Moosh) I never heard hara, is removed from the before!" But it was Jewish hearts. Because this somewhat of a mystery is the purpose of shofar! among the chassidim why The shofar removes all the this story was so special to bad and the yetzer hara the Rebbes. What did they from the hearts of Yidden!"39

39. The Gemara teaches that chilul Hashem is only atoned for with death. Nevertheless, there are ways to get atonement without 68 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah

A Good Eye The Alef Hamagein (583:4) writes "When one The Gemara (Rosh has guests on Rosh Hashanah 25) states “Rebbe Hashanah, it is considered עין said to Reb Chiya ‘Go to as though he concentrated a city where there was a) טב on all the kavanos of the prominent beis din) and Arizal in his tefillah."40 establish [Rosh Hashanah].” .literally means 2. Chesed עין טב "good eye." A community near The Chidushei HaRim Radin asked a bachur from zt’l said that this Gemara the Chofetz Chaim's hints that on Rosh Hashanah yeshiva to join them for we should have a good eye. Rosh Hashanah. They A good eye means wanted him to speak divrei seeing the good in others, Torah and mussar, to arouse forgiving others, helping them to do teshuvah on others, etc. These attitudes these holy days. will help us in our judgment. The bachur refused. He We will give some wanted to be with the .עין טובה examples of Chofetz Chaim on Rosh 1. Hachnasas Orchim. Hashanah.

death too. The Remak quotes the Gemara which states "[Hashem says] ‘Blow with a ram's horn before Me, so I will remember akeidas Yitzchok, and I will consider it as though you sacrificed yourself before Me.’” When one listens to the shofar, it is like he sacrificed himself before Hashem, and all his sins are forgiven. 40. The Arizal taught kabbalistic ideas to think while praying. The average person isn’t able to incorporate those lofty thoughts into his prayer. However, when one has guests on Rosh Hashanah, it will be considered as though he concentrated on all those lofty thoughts. Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 69

The Chofetz Chaim told The Gemara (Bava Basra the bachur the following 10) teaches that when you important message: "A give tzedakah, Hashem feels mentch leibt nisht far zich - indebted to you, because man doesn’t live for you helped the poor. himself." A person came Hashem considers it as down to this world to help though you loaned money others. to Hashem. As it states ,מלוה ה' חונן דל ,(The bachur went to the (Mishlei 19:17 helping חונן דל, neighboring town for Rosh when one is מלוה Hashanah.41 the poor, it is like he is .Hashem's lender ה', 3. Tzedakah. The halachah is: When The Gemara (Rosh there is a monetary dispute תשובה ,Hashanah 16:) states the ,מלוה and לוה between the תפילה וצדקה מעבירין את רוע הגזירה, has the right to choose מלוה “Teshuvah, tefillah, and which beis din they should tzedakah annul the harsh go to. decrees.” How does tzedakah annul So when one gives harsh decrees? How does tzedakah, he is called ,מלוה As the .מלוה tzedakah help us in the Hashem's judgment? he can request to be judged in a compassionate court.42 The Leket Yosher This is how tzedakah can החבר answers in the name of .help you in your judgment :משה מינץ

41. Someone spent most of his Rosh Hashanah in the hospital helping his sick friend. Rebbe Shlomke of Zvhil zy'a said about that man, “He is a ben Olam HaBa." His prayers were fewer on that day, but Reb Shlomke knew that he will inherit Olam HaBah in merit of the chesed that he did, and the concern for his fellow man. with deeds of chesed, one has ,ויכון בחסד כסאך ,we say נתנה תוקף In .42 70 Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah

4. Vitur. them knew) that the next morning there will be a The Gemara (Yoma 23) dispute over the seat. says, "Whoever is maavir al midosov (and is mevater), That night, one of the Hashem forgives all his two men had a dream. He sins." saw beautiful caravans In the beis medresh of being led by malachim. "What's this all about?" he the Rashash zy'a (Nahar asked a malach. Shalom), the gabai accidently sold the same seat to two "Today is Rosh people for the Rosh Hashanah, and these Hashanah tefillos. When wagons are carrying your they both came to the same good deeds. They will be seat, they realized there placed on the scale, and it was a problem. They will determine what type quickly went over to the of year you will have." gabai and asked him who bought the seat. Soon he saw very ugly caravans being led by The gabai checked his frightening-looking angels. files and admitted that he "What's happening now?" had made a mistake. he asked. One of them would need "These are your aveiros. to be mevater, but neither of They will be placed on the them wanted to. On Rosh other side of the scale." Hashanah night, there weren't so many people in The man looked up at the Beis Medresh, and they the large scale and saw that both had a respectable it was tipping to the side of place to pray. But they guilt. He was frightened. knew,(and everyone around What would his verdict be?

the right to decide which throne Hashem should sit on by the judgment. Whether the throne of din or the throne of rachamim. Torah Wellsprings - Rosh Hashanah 71

The beis din ruled that (gave in to others to avoid a he would die that year machlokes) we can remove because of his many sins. some more packages of sins. Because Chazal say Then a compassionate that vitur removes aveiros. angel arrived and said, Let's check his deeds, to see "This man had a lot of whether he was mevater." yesurim (pain and troubles) this year, and yesurim Still sleeping, the man atones." realized that if he is mevater The angels began to his seat, his life will be remove several packages of saved. "I'm mevater!" he sins from the scale, and shouted. "I'm mevater!" And then it was just about equal, then he awoke. but it was still slightly In the morning he tipped to the side of guilt. quickly ran to the gabai and The merciful angel said told him that he is mevater "If this person was mevater his seat to the other person.43

43. Shame is also a form of yesurim, which removes many sins. Someone suffering from a dibbuk, was brought to the Chofetz Chaim zt’l. Reb Elyah Lopian zt'l, who was present, repeated that this dibbuk avoided G-d fearing people, but it especially enjoyed being near sinful people.

There was a great sinner in the room, and the dibbuk hugged him and kissed him, and listed all the sins he did. After doing this, the dibbuk didn’t want to have anything to do with this man anymore. The people in the room asked the dibbuk about this, and the dibbuk replied, "After I revealed his sins in public, his embarrassment purified him. Now he's a tzaddik, and I don’t want to have anything to do with him anymore."