Copyright 2003 Darche Noam Institutions
What do these phrases mean? Where do they come from? Understanding this Ramban
will illuminate two of the fascinating themes of this Yomim Noraim ("High Holy
Day") period. The first is the interplay between the two facets of G-d's relationship
to man: the Attribute of Din (Judgement) and the Attribute of Rachamim (Mercy).
The second is the interplay of the functions of those two very distinct, yet
complementary, days: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
This is puzzling. Adam was victorious?! Adam and Eve were driven out of the
Garden of Eden, the earth was cursed, and their evil inclination became intimately
intertwined within their personalities. Surely if we were to identify winners
and losers, the serpent won and Adam and Eve lost.
The answer may be, that being evicted from Gan Eden was a great act of mercy
on G-d's part. In the perfect world of Eden, man, in order to survive, must
be perfect. In Eden, Din cannot be tempered with Rachamim. In our far from perfect
world, in our exile from Eden, human imperfection may be tolerated. Perfection
may be approached as a goal, but its absence will never surprise us.
All this happened on that first Rosh Hashanah. G-d's judgment was tempered with
His mercy. Rosh Hashanah is "Yom Hadin B'rachamim."
The first Yom Kippur was a different response to a different sin-the sin of
the Golden Calf. At the Giving of the Torah, Israel had been elevated to spiritual
heights reminiscent of Adam's situation in Gan Eden. And their fall was even
more spectacular than Adam's. There were no extenuating circumstances; there
was no excuse for failure-the degree of Mercy extant since Creation would not
suffice to save them.
It was just then that G-d said (see Rashi to Shemot 33:19), the time has come
for Me to reveal further levels of my Attribute of Mercy-My Mercy has no end,
no limits, to those who call for my mercy, in repentance and subservience. The
prayers of those who recite and implement my Thirteen Attributes of Mercy will
never remain unanswered.
All this happened as the Jewish People were approaching their first Yom Kippur.
To a great extent "Din" was superseded by "Rachamim": Yom Kippur, the Day of
Mercy with Judgment.
This transition from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur, from the predominance of Din
to the supremacy of Rachamim is taking place now, during the ten days of Teshuvah.
Teshuvah isn't only about fixing ourselves-it is also about fixing a relationship.
When we soften our hearts, the whole world becomes a softer place. The harsh
spotlight of Din becomes the soft glow of Hashem's loving presence. We come
home to bask in the security of a relationship of love.
And that's what Sukkot is all about.
G'mar Chatimah Tovah.
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Copyright 2003 Darche
Noam Institutions