The Wisdom of Teshuva (Rosh Hashana)

One of the common discussions before the yamim norayim is why we celebrate Rosh Hashana before Yom Kippur. Why do we start talking about teshuva, repentance, before asking for forgiveness? Why do we exalt the glory of Avinu Malkeinu before we have received His merciful forgiveness?

As there are many of shiurim on this topic, there are many answers and explanations. Here is just a simple thought:

The daily Amidah is composed of praise, request, and gratitude. The second section, request, begins with a prayer for knowledge and understanding. The next blessing asks Hashem to cause us to return to Him in complete teshuva. The third blessing beseeches God for forgiveness. Every single day we ask Hashem to help us do teshuva and then we ask Him to forgive our transgressions, just as we do during the aseres yamei teshuva.

Perhaps this is a nod to human nature and our fear of asking for forgiveness, which is admitting to a doing something wrong, without some sense of assurance that our atonement will be accepted. It is why people tend to word apologies so carefully – to ask forgiveness without making one’s self small. If we have begun the process of teshuva, we can believe that we are in a “safe zone” to come clean with our mistakes.

Perhaps, though, there is significance to the fact that in the daily prayers we first ask Hashem to grant us knowledge and understanding. People generally assume that they are smart, at least on some level. Our passage through the world is filled with challenges; frequently these challenges arise or are made more complex because we assume that we understand the world and that we know what needs to happen. But humans, by nature, cannot see the Big Picture. We don’t really understand how our individual paths affect the greater scheme of things.

How can we gain better knowledge and understanding? By getting closer to the Divine, by letting go of our assumptions of control and global understanding. We accomplish this increase in daas by doing teshuva and drawing closer to Hashem, recognizing Him as the One in ultimate control of everything. Then, with God’s help, we have a revised frame with which to look at our actions more clearly. With this sharpened perception, we are then able to begin to atone honestly.

Rosh Hashana is imminently upon us. For myself I can only pray that Hashem helps me have the mental focus to put my all into my teshuva so that I can continue to grow in my own avodah. Wishing you all a Shana Tova U’Metuka.