When you sit in the sukkah, you are embraced by Hashem.
The Arizal explained that the sukkah’s two and a half walls mirror an arm wrapping around you.
From shoulder to elbow, from elbow to hand, and the hand itself.
The sukkah is Hashem’s loving hug.
During the Yamim Nora’im, the gates of blessing open through our awe.
On Succos, they open through our joy.
~ The Beis Aharon
I believe the true atonement begins on the ninth day, even more than on the tenth.
For on the ninth day, Yidden make peace with one another.
~ The Sfas Emes HaKadmon
When one says Viduy, he should think:
There will come another time when I will say Viduy—after my passing, when I stand before the Heavenly Court. I will wear my tallis and kittel and confess, just as I do now. But then it will not help.
Only now, in this world, can my Viduy truly repair.
~ The Yismach Yisrael
If you want to know the value of your home, put it up for sale and see what people are willing to pay.
If you want to know the value of your Avodas Hashem, check how much effort the yetzer hara invests to stop you.
If you see significant opposition, this is a sign that your Avodas Hashem is very precious.
~ R’ Yitzchak Hutner zt”l
The reason the Viduy is organized in alphabetical order (Ashamnu, Bagadnu, Gazalnu…) is because our aveiros tainted all the letters of the alef beis, which are the letters of Creation.
We correct them with Viduy.
~ Reishis Chachma
When you ask for forgiveness, Hashem forgives you right away. You don’t have to wait a week or a month…
You ask Hashem for forgiveness and Hashem forgives. It is as simple as that.
~ R’ Elimelech Biderman
Teshuvah must be performed with joy. One must have bitachon that Hashem won’t abandon His nation.
We don’t say tachanun on erev Rosh Hashanah, maybe to hint to us that we don’t need to fall on our faces. Rather, we should stand before Hashem with love and joy!
~ The Avodas Yisrael
Our sages teach: “Tzedakah saves from death.” (Mishlei 10:2).
But more than that, it brings blessing, mercy, and protection for the entire year ahead. The Rambam writes that no mitzvah is as universally powerful in protecting a person as tzedakah.
As we approach Rosh Hashanah, now is the moment to ensure that not a single day of the year passes without this great mitzvah in your merit.
Two wonderful opportunities make this easy:
Daily Giving – https://dailygiving.org/
Sign up to give $1 a day, automatically supporting over 75 outstanding Jewish charities. A simple way to transform your entire year.
Keren Hashana – https://www.lubavitch.com/donate/keren-hashana/
Established by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, this fund distributes your tzedakah daily on your behalf. You can give as little as 5 cents a day ($17.70 for the year) for yourself and each family member, ensuring that every single day of the year, you and your loved ones are giving.
Don’t delay! Set this up today so that by the time Rosh Hashanah arrives, your year is already filled with the mitzvah of tzedakah.And remember: “Causing others to give tzedakah is greater than giving it yourself” (Bava Basra 9). Please forward this to friends and family. Who knows how many people will sign up for this great mitzvah and how much of an effect it will have on your neshama going into Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.
The definition of Yiras Shamayim in our generation is to believe that whatever happens to us throughout the year was decreed on Rosh Hashanah.
~ The Steipler Gaon in the name of the Chazon Ish
Emuna Daily 