Bitter Sweet Symphony

This week’s parsha, Acharai Mos discusses the preparations and priestly rituals performed for the Yom Kippur services- the Day of Atonement. Today, since we no longer have a temple, therefore we obviously do not perform the same rituals, we commemorate all the services we no longer perform to Hashem by saying the Mussaf prayer during Yom Kippur Services. When we are pleading to Hashem during these services, we should feel at loss and feel tremendous sadness that we no longer have a temple where we can service Hashem. Because of the sins Bnai Israel committed, our nation lost its beloved temple; essentially, we lost our intimate connection with G-d. However, we end the Yom Kippur services on a positive note when reciting Alainu. This prayer heightens our spirits and reminds us that despite our sins, we should be encompassed with joy and gratitude that Hashem chose the Jewish nation to receive His portion and gave the Jewish people His beautiful Torah to observe and to follow. This should shield light into our own lives. Even though at times we may feel overwhelmed with bitter misfortune and tragedy, just know that there is sweet light waiting at the end of the dark tunnel.

DID YOU KNOW?

 

Q. Why did Hashem pick the 10^th of Tishrei as Yom Kippur?

A.  After the sin of the golden calf, Moshe ascended to Mount Sinai to receive the second set of commandments. For forty days, Moshe and Bnai Israel were praying and fasting. At the end of the forty day period, on the 10^th of Tishrei, Hashem said, that He has pardoned their sins and gave Moshe a new set of tablets.

On Yom Kippur, man is pardoned by Hashem; however, not by his fellow man, thereby, he must go to the people he has forsaken and ask for their forgiveness.

            Moreover, Hashem does not forgive those who are lax about observing the Torah throughout the year because they think that they just can do teshuva-repent- on Yom Kippur and be forgiven.