Days of Awe and Reconciliation

Parashat Vayelech, Deuteronomy 31:1-30; Haftarah, Hosea 14:2-10 & Micah 7:18-20

 Michael Hillel, Chavurah Adonai Shammah, Netanya, Israel

By the time you read (or listen) to this commentary, we will be in the Days of Awe, or in Hebrew, Yamim Noraim, a time that is also known as the Days of Repentance. These days are set aside for serious introspection, a time to consider the previous year’s mistakes and shortcomings, and to repent before the sound of the shofar that ends Yom Kippur.

While much of the focus is on one’s mistakes in keeping or not keeping the commandments of God, there is an equally important focus on seeking reconciliation with others that one may have wronged in word or deed during the past year. In Mishnah Yoma 8:9 it is written

For transgressions between a person and God, Yom Kippur atones; however, for transgressions between a person and another, Yom Kippur does not atone until he appeases the other person.

This need to be reconciled before bringing one’s offering before Hashem is not only an idea developed by the sages. Yeshua taught his talmidim: 

Therefore, if you are presenting your offering upon the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go. First, be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. (Matthew 5:23–24)

In our world today, which is fractured and polarized over an unending multitude of ideologies and opinions, it is safe to say that regardless of our stance on such issues, we have offended and even isolated ourselves from others to whom we were once close. During these Days of Awe, we have the opportunity to reach out to those we have offended, and even to those who have offended us. This reaching out is not an opportunity to correct or change the other’s mind. Rather, it is an opportunity to offer an attitude of shalom, one that recognizes our differences while at the same time recognizing that spark of the Creator that is in each one of us, that which makes us family.

The psalmist wrote, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity” (Psa 133:1), and Yeshua taught his disciples, “By this, all will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Note that neither the psalmist nor Yeshua called for complete agreement between one another, rather that we are to love and respect one another even though we are different.

As well as being in the Days of Awe, the Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is called Shabbat Shuvah, “Shabbat of Return.” This Shabbat draws its name from the first of its two haftarah readings, which opens with, “Return O Israel, to Adonai your God, for you have stumbled in your iniquity” (Hos 14:2). The second haftarah reading begins with these words of encouragement if Israel does return, “Who is a God like You pardoning iniquity, overlooking transgression, for the remnant of His heritage? He will not retain His anger forever because He delights in mercy” (Mic 7:18). We often hear these two verses, assuming that they refer to our relationship with Hashem, broken by our transgressions and restored by our repentance. But remember, our relationship with Hashem is affected by our relationship with others.

In looking at the idea of repentance and restoration during the Days of Awe, I came across an article by Chosen People Ministries in which the author makes an incisive observation.

Most Jewish people understand that repentance is the path that leads to salvation and the forgiveness of sin, which is secured at the closing moments of Yom Kippur. Though it is difficult to explain the difference between the Jewish and Christian understanding of salvation, the Jewish community stresses forgiveness far more than personal salvation, especially as salvation is understood by most Christians. Jewish people are not as apt to think about personal salvation or a secured future beyond the grave in the same way Christians do. (https://www.chosenpeople.com/what-are-the-ten-days-of-awe/)

 When I read this, I immediately thought of the seventh bracha in the Daily Amida:

Heal us, Lord, and we shall be healed. Save us and we shall be saved, for You are our praise. Bring complete recovery for all our ailments for You, God, King, are a faithful compassionate Healer. Blessed are You, Lord, Healer of the sick of His people Israel. (Koren Siddur)

Israel has always seen Hashem as the one who took care of them in a very practical manner. Remember Hashem’s words to Israel as they prepared to enter the land of Canaan: “I led you forty years in the wilderness—your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn out on your feet” (Deut 29:4). Equally Hashem provided food and water for the people and the animals throughout their travels. One of the most moving prayers of the Rosh Hashanah service, Unetanah Tokef, reveals this understanding of the care of Hashem for his people.

On Rosh Hashanah, it is inscribed, and on Yom Kippur, it is sealed—how many shall pass away and how many shall be born, who shall live and who shall die, who in good time, and who by an untimely death, who by water and who by fire, who by sword and who by wild beast, who by famine and who by thirst, who by earthquake and who by plague, who by strangulation and who by lapidation, who shall have rest and who wander, who shall be at peace and who pursued, who shall be serene and who tormented, who shall become impoverished and who wealthy, who shall be debased, and who exalted. But repentance, prayer and righteousness avert the severity of the decree. (sefaria.org.il/)

It is often said that followers of Yeshua are so concerned with their eternal dwelling that they care little for their earthly one. Maybe what is necessary is a blend of the two understandings, recognizing that Hashem cares both for our here-and-now and for our eternity. During these Days of Awe, we should look for ways to be reconciled with those whom we’ve drifted away from. Equally, we should remind ourselves that Hashem is not only concerned with our eternal dwelling place but with each and every day of our lives on this plane as well.

Shabbat shalom and gemar chatimah tovah!

 All Scripture references are from the Tree of Life Version (TLV).