This week's section, read as a preparation for Rosh Hashanah, begins: “You are standing, all of you, today before G-d.” Some commentaries state that the word “today” in the verse refers to Rosh Hashanah.
Isn't Rosh Hashanah the day when each individual stands alone before G-d and each is judged separately according to his or her deeds of the past year? Why, then, on this day, is unity emphasized?
On Rosh Hashanah G-d judges us as Jews. If even one Jew shows a good character trait or does one good deed, this shows that there is something worthwhile hidden in all of us, even the biggest sinners. And this will bring blessing and joy to the entire creation for the coming year. Because the name “Rosh Hashanah” doesn't mean just the first day of the year but rather the HEAD (Rosh) of the year.
And just as the head is the most important and sensitive organ in the body distributing life to the organs and containing the seat of personality, understanding and the senses, as well as unifying all the various functions.
So also Rosh Hashanah is the “head”; The most sensitive and important day of the year unifying the Jewish people and, in fact, the entire world. It is the day that we “coronate” G-d.
That is why almost all the prayers of Rosh Hashanah don't contain a word about judgment but rather talk about the time when all mankind will be unified and G-d will be the King over all the universe in a revealed way.
It is telling us that we must do ALL we can, especially on Rosh Hashanah, to bring Moshiach now.
(By Rabbi Tuvia Bolton; www.ohrtmimim.org)
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