Imagine, you are on trial. In your heart of hearts, you know you are guilty of the charges.
The judge knows you have an imperfect past.
The prosecution will present condemning evidence, produce many eye-witnesses, display video surveillance and scrutinize your own past admissions. The proof of your guilt is incontrovertible.
Your attorney has advised you to take a plea deal. She tells you that the sentencing will be harsh no matter what. Better to show remorse and beg for mercy.
You really don’t have much wiggle room at all.
The big day of judgment arrives.
When you enter the courtroom, how is your stride? Are you well dressed? Is your head held high proclaiming innocence, or hung low with guilt. Do you have an apology prepared for those you wronged, or an explanation as to why everyone else has gotten it wrong besides for yourself? Are you in good spirits or feeling a sense of regret and resignation?
Are you going to give excuses or own up?
***
Stop imagining.
That day is coming up next week. Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, is called Yom HaDin, the Day of Judgment. Hashem judges the entire world on Rosh Hashana, the anniversary of the creation of mankind. That’s why we wish each other a Shana Tova – a good year. G-d judges us and blesses us with a good year. At least, we pray and hope so. In fact, just a cursory reading of the Machzor demonstrates how earnest this day is.
(By the way, Yom Kippur is not simply another day of judgment, it’s a day of atonement. But, more about that another time).
Before you start comparing me to some type of doom-and-gloom preacher, let me pose the following question:
If Rosh Hashana is such a serious and uncertain day, why is it observed with celebration and joy? The picture I first painted would seem more appropriate. But, that’s not the way we Jews do it. Instead we eat festive meals, with sweet and symbolic foods, dress our finest, congregate joyfully and consider it a sacred festival. To be sure, it’s a different kind of celebration than, say, Purim or Simchat Torah. But, it’s still a festive event.
(See the Book of Nechemia, Chapter 8, where the prophet tells the people on Rosh Hashana, “Go, eat fat foods and drink sweet drinks and send portions to whoever has nothing prepared, for the day is holy to our L-rd, and do not be sad, for the joy of the L-rd is your strength.”)
If we know that G-d, “Who probes the heart of man,” is judging us, why are we rejoicing? No one is perfect. On the day that G-d – Who remembers more about what we did the past year than we do ourselves – is reviewing our behavior, shouldn’t we display a bit more worry and contrition?
The fourth Rebbe of Chabad used to say, “You cannot fool G-d; ultimately, you cannot fool others either. The only one you can fool is yourself. And to fool a fool is no great achievement.”
So, who are we trying to fool on Rosh Hashana, the most delicate of times?
***
The answer can be found in this week’s parsha, Nitzavim-Vayelech.
The portion opens up with Moshe’s remarks to the Jewish people:
You are all standing this day before the Lord, your God the leaders of your tribes, your elders and your officers, every man of Israel, your young children, your women, and your convert who is within your camp, both your woodcutters and your water drawers.
Though Moshe spoke with the Jewish people several thousand years ago, there is a deeper message in this paragraph. Our Rabbis teach that “this day” refers to Rosh Hashana. The term nitzavim doesn’t just mean standing. Rather it means standing erect, standing tall and confident.
Taken this way, the verse is teaching that though it is the Day of Judgment, you remain standing firmly upright (nitzavim), meaning – you will be vindicated in judgment.
Why are we so confident that G-d will vindicate us and grant us a Happy and Healthy New Year? After all, we do have some skeletons in the closet, don’t we?
The answer lies in the next few phrases. Who are all these people standing before G-d? The Torah enumerates the loftiest, most accomplished and most fortunate Jews together with the least achieved and most underprivileged Jews.
They are all equal. And all together.
When we are united as a people, we reveal our truest identity. The core of who we are comes to the forefront. Peace and unity are the greatest vessels for G-d’s blessings.
When Hashem sees our unity, He is filled with compassion and blesses us with a sweet, new year.
Now we can understand the powerful words of the Talmud, regarding Rosh Hashana. A man awaiting trial, says the Talmud, is usually dejected and wearing black garments (to be humble before a stern judge). However, the Children of Israel dress in white clothes and eat a festive meal, confident in G-d’s mercies.
It’s no wonder that we always read this parsha before Rosh Hashanah. In it is the secret for our best preparation for the High Holy Days.
If we are united as one, we are indeed guaranteed a positive verdict. You can take that to the bank.
Or, to shul on Rosh Hashanah.