First we had Elul where we started to introspect and see where we went wrong and how to improve. We had an intense period of slichot. We davened hard on Rosh Hashanah. And now we just left the period of Asseret Yemei Teshuva (the 10 days of Repentance), climaxing with Yom Kippur. Phew. We think it’s all over. And then we remember Hoshanah Raba is the day when our verdict is really sealed. How can this be… wasn’t Neilah at Yom Kippur our last chance to beg for a good year?
I’d like to offer a suggestion. After Yom Kippur, we feel relieved. We did all we could, davened all day and now it’s over and we trust Hashem, with His rachamim, has given us a favourable verdict. We can finally relax somewhat, after being on our best behaviour for the whole of Elul and especially the 10 days. Yet as soon as Yom Kippur departs, it’s time for us to put into practice our “resolutions” and our new self. If we just think it’s all over as soon as we’ve finished Maariv on motzei Yom Kippur we’ve missed the point. We won’t even get chance to implement our new self.
That’s why we have Hoshanah Raba… (more…)
