Print This PageRosh Hashana is known as the Day of Judgment (Yom Hadin), the day on which God judges the world. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the day on which God finalizes His verdict on the judgments of Rosh Hashana.
But actually the days of judgment are not quite over.
According to tradition, as stated in the Zohar (III:31b): “This [Hoshana Rabbah] is the final day of judgment for water, source of all blessings. On the seventh day of Sukkot the judgment of the world is finalized and the edicts are sent forth from the King.”
The days of judgment are not, it seems, truly over until the seventh day of Sukkot. (Which is why some perform the tashlich ceremony until Hoshana Rabbah.) What is the connection?
On Rosh Hashana, God determines the fate and fortune of both individuals and communities for the year to come, including exactly how much one will earn in the coming year. Material endowments are one form of sustenance. On the holiday of Sukkot, however, God determines the world’s water allotment for the year to come.
Since God is still sitting in His heavenly courtroom deciding the fate of the world, there is time to slip in a final appeal or to do an extra act of kindness in the hope of altering the scales of justice in one’s favor. Because Hoshana Rabbah is considered a day of judgment, selichot (penitential prayers) are added to the morning service, in addition to the special prayers of Sukkot.
This Treat was originally published on October 6, 2009.
Copyright © 2010 National Jewish Outreach Program. All rights reserved.
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It is not by works that you will please God, our works on our own are filthy rags in God's eyes. But to accept the once and for all sacrifice that He has made in Jesus Christ and put our faith in Him. It is at that point that our works are accepted.
Isaiah 64:6
All of us have become like one who is unclean,and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf,and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Blessings
scotbotmosh,
You are Messianic Judaism?
I too, because it realy is so true that each one of us can find out for ourselves through prayer if we really try. Sometimes it takes many tries, but the truth is there.
Z