Dear Friends,
Anyone who grew up in mainstream Middle America or a college town knows what a homecoming is. Over the years it has developed into somewhat of a pageantry: the celebration when the local football team returns home, former students and players come back, school spirit runs high, a homecoming king and queen are crowned, of course there is the big game, and a day or two later everyone gets dressed up for the big dance.
Well, we stand now a few days away from Jewish homecoming. Let me explain with a fundamental idea in Judaism that leads to becoming a better version of ourselves:
One of the most common terms associated with the Day of Atonement is Teshuva, often translated as “repentance,” implying regret.
And that can create two problems. Some people think, “I don’t have anything to regret, so what am I doing here?” Others think, “I’ve done so much wrong that G-d could never forgive me, so why even try?”
However, the correct translation of Teshuvah is not repentance, but return.
The Chassidic masters explain that every soul is truly “a part of G-d above.” When that soul comes down into this physical world, it can become distant from its source.
But on Yom Kippur, G-d calls to every soul: Come home. Every Jewish “graduate” is called to come back home to Judaism and to synagogue.
And just as homecoming has a coronation of king and queen, the Jewish nation has its own coronation a week before its homecoming: Rosh Hashanah.
On Rosh Hashanah, we blow the shofar, and one reason is to crown G-d as King. Just as horns are played at a coronation or inauguration, we blow the shofar to proclaim G-d King of the universe.
And then comes Yom Kippur: Game Day.
We are the players and it is the battle between the two souls within us: the divine soul that is inclined to do good, and the animal soul G-d also places within us that shleps in the opposite direction. And when the battle is over, we blow the shofar at the end of Yom Kippur as a sign of victory.
But the homecoming still isn’t over!
A few days later comes the dance—the night everyone dresses up, celebrates, and lets loose. For us, that is Simchat Torah, when we dance with the Torah and celebrate with tremendous joy.
Let us focus, though, on what is right in front of us.
Yom Kippur is a day with a special power to bring Jews home. This is our annual homecoming, when we show up, reconnect, and celebrate our belonging.
See you there! You can RSVP for Chabad Pittsford Yom Kippur Services at JewishPittsford.com/highholidays to join for homecoming!
Shabbat Shalom/Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Yitzi