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Daily Chizuk #1687
Holidays / Yamim Tovim
Everything Can Change: Lessons from Sarah and Rachel
Everything Can Change on Rosh Hashanah
Chazal tell us that on Rosh Hashanah, Sarah, Rachel, and Chana were remembered and decreed to have children. Rashi explains that on Rosh Hashanah, Hashem decreed for them that in the upcoming year they would each give birth.
The Gemara also teaches that on Rosh Hashanah, Yosef was decreed to be released from the Egyptian prison where he had been locked away for twelve years. We already know that every person is judged on Rosh Hashanah, and whatever will happen in the coming year is decided on that day. So what is unique about these great tzaddikim being judged favorably on Rosh Hashanah?
Some explain that the Gemara is teaching us the extent of what can happen on Rosh Hashanah. It was physically impossible for Sarah, Rachel, and Chana to conceive — and yet that changed on Rosh Hashanah. It was a foregone conclusion that Yosef would never leave prison. No one close to him even knew where he was. Tehillim describes his soul as bound in chains. And yet, on Rosh Hashanah, everything changed.
The world itself undergoes a rebirth on Rosh Hashanah. Everything starts fresh. What was impossible before can suddenly become possible.
People who are sick can be decreed for refuah. People searching for their zivug can be decreed to find them. The Melech Malchei HaMelachim, the King of Kings, comes to be with us during the Aseret Yemei Teshuvah, beginning on Rosh Hashanah night.
We must seize this glorious opportunity. Let us accept upon ourselves to strengthen in Torah and mitzvot, to refine our ways, and to pray with all our hearts. And in that merit, may we be blessed with a year of berachah and hatzlachah in every area of our lives.
Shanna Tova!
Gmar Chatima Tova!!!
Chazal tell us that on Rosh Hashanah, Sarah, Rachel, and Chana were remembered and decreed to have children. Rashi explains that on Rosh Hashanah, Hashem decreed for them that in the upcoming year they would each give birth.
The Gemara also teaches that on Rosh Hashanah, Yosef was decreed to be released from the Egyptian prison where he had been locked away for twelve years. We already know that every person is judged on Rosh Hashanah, and whatever will happen in the coming year is decided on that day. So what is unique about these great tzaddikim being judged favorably on Rosh Hashanah?
Some explain that the Gemara is teaching us the extent of what can happen on Rosh Hashanah. It was physically impossible for Sarah, Rachel, and Chana to conceive — and yet that changed on Rosh Hashanah. It was a foregone conclusion that Yosef would never leave prison. No one close to him even knew where he was. Tehillim describes his soul as bound in chains. And yet, on Rosh Hashanah, everything changed.
The world itself undergoes a rebirth on Rosh Hashanah. Everything starts fresh. What was impossible before can suddenly become possible.
People who are sick can be decreed for refuah. People searching for their zivug can be decreed to find them. The Melech Malchei HaMelachim, the King of Kings, comes to be with us during the Aseret Yemei Teshuvah, beginning on Rosh Hashanah night.
We must seize this glorious opportunity. Let us accept upon ourselves to strengthen in Torah and mitzvot, to refine our ways, and to pray with all our hearts. And in that merit, may we be blessed with a year of berachah and hatzlachah in every area of our lives.
Shanna Tova!
Gmar Chatima Tova!!!
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