Rebbetzin Liora Kaye

, “There is not a righteous person in the land that has done good and not sinned.”  The prevalent emotions may be fear, sadness at the multitudes of sins that we have committed and a crying out to Hashem for mercy.  Yet we find that the advice given by Ezra regarding this day was to “eat succulent foods, drink sweet tasting drinks… don’t be sad for the joy of Hashem is your strength.”  How is such advice consistent with the theme of judgment that is so central to Rosh Hashanah?

It is obvious to us that the judgment referred to in context of Rosh Hashanah is a judgment regarding how much a person has fulfilled the role given to them by Hashem.  Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel (generally known as the Alter of Slobodka) explains that since the unique feature of man is that he is created in the likeness of Hashem, his judgement is based on how much he has utilised this precious gift.  But how exactly is one to utilise their Tzelem Elokim, image of Gd?

Rashi explains that the primary function for which man was created in the image of Gd was in order to become wise.  Additionally, we know that Hashem is characterised so-to-speak by the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy (loving-kindness, mercy, etc) and it follows that man, being created in the likeness of Hashem, also has the potential for perfection of these attributes. The Alter of Slobodka explains that to fulfil one’s purpose in this world a person must ‘become wise’ to the ways of Hashem.  We much take time to delve into the depths of the attributes that man is supposed to emulate, and to internalise them to the extent that we indeed become “in the likeness of Gd”.  In preparation for the Day of Judgement, our thoughts must be turned towards how we can bring ourselves to the exalted level of embodying these most sublime attributes.

This is why Ezra bids us to rejoice in Rosh Hashanah.  In bringing these immense spiritual wellsprings that are hidden within a person to the surface, we fulfil  the very purpose for which we were created and automatically makes ourselves suitable candidates to be given further opportunities to grow and succeed.  Furthermore, the success that we are referring to is the emulation of Hashem’s ways and the closest relationship that man can hope to foster with Hashem.  Such success brings in its wake unbounded joy.  It is this joy that Ezra was referring to when he told the Jewish people that the joy of Hashem was their strength.  Indeed, the attainment of such joy is the greatest possible indication that a person has prepared themselves appropriately to greet this awesome day.