8 October 2019 · A sentence from the teachings of Rav Kook

„A person should always judge himself and know that he must bring fort…”

„A person should always judge himself and know that he must bring forth into actuality his truth and his uprightness—that same truth and that same uprightness that he feels in the inner depths of his spirit—and then he is assured that he will walk in the path of faithfulness.”From Shemonah Kevatzim, IV, 104

Near his passing, Rabbi Zusha of Anipoli said:

"In the World to Come they will not ask me: 'Why were you not Moses our teacher?'

Rather they will ask—'Why were you not Zusha?'"

The Yom Kippur of each and every one of us is unique to us. Our repentance is unique to us—to stand before ourselves, to stand before God, and to make a true accounting of the soul, in our own language, in our own words, in our own heart.

We must not imitate another person, another mode of conduct. There are those whose repentance and forgiveness and atonement come through streams of tears; there are those whose atonement comes through laughter.

Like the businessman who counts his money at the end of the year, checks the mistakes, and makes his decisions accordingly. Like a couple who look at one another at the end of the year, check their mistakes, and make their resolutions for the future. Like parents and children. Teachers and students. Government and people.

To look reality straight in the eye. To confess sins. To think about their atonement. To speak with God.

To bring forth into actuality your truth and your uprightness—that of the inner depths of your spirit. To draw closer to yourselves. To draw closer to God.

May you be sealed well!

In memory of Shalom ben Regina, who ascended to the Heavenly academy on Yom Kippur.