In the prayers of the High Holy Days, at the center of the piyyut "And it was granted to us to be valid," the emotional declaration is heard from all the worshippers – "And repentance, prayer, and charity will avert the evil of the decree." These three concepts, repentance, prayer, and charity, have a unique meaning that has no parallel in other languages.
Purification from sin is called 'repentance' and the like in other languages, while in our country it is called 'repentance' - not a new thing, but a return to something familiar and known.
Standing before the Creator of the world and bringing requests before Him is called 'Kesh', 'Prayer' in the language of the nations of the world; whereas we call it 'Tefila', from the word 'union' and 'fusion' (like "the Tofal, a vessel of clay" in the Mishnah, in the meaning of 'gluing' and 'connecting').
Thus, giving a donation to the needy is defined in other languages as 'charity'; however, in the Holy Language this act is called 'tzedakah', from the word 'justice'.
to return home
When a Jew decides to connect more closely to the Torah and to observe its commandments more strictly, this is not a new path for him. It has always been his own path. Every Jew, deep down, feels a longing for G-d, loves the Torah, and wants to observe its commandments. When he returns to the Torah and the commandments, he simply returns to who he truly is.
The answer is about peeling away the outer layers that cover our true self. Inside we are all full of faith; filled with a strong desire to be truly and sincerely Jewish. That is why it is called 'repentance' – the Jew returning to himself.
The inner essence of prayer is not a request, but rather a connection and adherence. Prayer is the moment of union of the human soul with its supreme source. During prayer, the human soul longs to merge with the infinite light of the Creator, from which it was carved.
Measure for measure
Charity, in its true meaning, is not doing good and giving kindness. The word 'charity' comes from the word 'justice.' Because that is justice, that is what must be done.
At the heart of this concept is the recognition that the money given to a person is essentially a deposit placed in his hands, to be used for the right things.
Man knows that "it was not my power or the might of my hand that made this army for me." Money is a blessing and abundance given to man by God, not to be wasted on luxury and an extravagant life, but to be used for good and positive things, to help those in need, and to promote positive values.
Therefore, giving to others and to enterprises that increase light and holiness in the world is actually the just and right thing that a person is required to do.
During these days, every Jew asks the Creator of the world to grant him a happy and sweet new year. And after all, the Creator owes nothing to anyone; by what right do we ask Him for all our requests? – By virtue of charity. In order to merit a blessing from above, we must increase in charity, and then God, the Holy One, treats us measure for measure, and gives us handfuls of blessing and success.
With these values, we will open the new year and all of us will be blessed with a good start and a good end, for us and for all of Israel.
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