We often use motivational speeches to push ourselves or others to fulfill difficult tasks. But these speeches are like band-aids on an infected wound. They make us feel good about being under pressure, but they don’t address the root problem.
Home > Lessons > Holidays > Yamim Noraim > Teshuvah – Ubocharto Bachaim 2022 > How to Approach the Din of Rosh HaShono without Pressure
We often use motivational speeches to push ourselves or others to fulfill difficult tasks. But these speeches are like band-aids on an infected wound. They make us feel good about being under pressure, but they don’t address the root problem.
When thinking about Rosh Hashanah, it is natural to feel immense pressure. But let’s pause and consider what Yom HaDin is truly about, and perhaps we can find a way to alleviate some of this overwhelming pressure.
The judgment of Rosh Hashanah is a judgment on the Malchus Shomayim. The Borei Olam has His kingdom, and Rosh Hashanah is the day when He is proclaimed as King. This means the judgment for each individual is how much does the Borei Olam need them, not just a judgment of their righteousness.
The business of the Borei Olam is Torah and Mitzvos, and we are the ones responsible for carrying it out. However, it is crucial to understand that the Borei Olam does not simply want the tasks done; He wants us to be part of the process. The central point of Rosh Hashanah is recognizing that the Borei Olam needs each of us in His business.
When aiming to inspire someone to connect with Tefilah, the common approach is to elevate the significance of Tefillah—making it seem grander, more important, and more impactful. We might share stories of people whose prayers were miraculously answered, with the goal of making Tefilah feel more vital.
But this approach misses the mark. The Borei Olam doesn’t need us to make Tefilah bigger; He needs us to find where we fit into Tefilah. The focus should not be on inflating the importance of davening, learning, or giving tzedakah. Instead, the emphasis should be on where we connect in these mitzvos.
It’s a mistake to think that by merely fulfilling our duties, we will be automatically connected to them.
First, it’s unrealistic to expect that the central point of all Avodas Hashem will come naturally without special and specific effort. Second, human beings are uniquely capable of doing the right thing under pressure—something that neither angels nor animals can do. The world today is in a crisis of anxiety and pressure; It is unlikely that we have become more prone to anxiety than former generations, rather it is fueled by a misunderstanding of success in general and, more specifically, what it means to serve Hashem.
We often use motivational speeches to push ourselves or others to fulfill difficult tasks. But these speeches are like band-aids on an infected wound. They make us feel good about being under pressure, but they don’t address the root problem.
One of the greatest challenges we face today is that we often work under pressure instead of simcha. Ironically, simcha has become a source of pressure—something we feel we must push ourselves to achieve rather than something that naturally flows from our actions.
True simcha stems from working according to our personal strengths and nature. R’ Yisroel Salanter revealed that when we work hard but in alignment with our unique capabilities, we experience tremendous simcha. However, this doesn’t mean relaxation in the way many people think—like lying on a beach doing nothing. That’s laziness, not relaxation in the context of Torah.
Relaxation in Avodas Hashem means working hard, but in a way that aligns with who we are. This kind of work doesn’t exhaust us or put us under pressure; rather, it allows us to work efficiently and joyfully. Being relaxed in this sense means connecting personally with Torah and Mitzvos, which is what Hashem expects of us.
The Torah states, “תַּחַת אֲשֶׁר לֹא עָבַדְתָּ אֶת יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ בְּשִׂמְחָה וּבְטוּב לֵבָב מֵרֹב כֹּל” (Because you did not serve Hashem with joy and happiness). “כֹּל” in this context doesn’t mean everything; it means a central point in our Avodas Hashem that supports everything else, like holding up an entire book from its central point alone. There are endless possibilities for connecting to Torah—the תרי”ג mitzvos and all the actions branching from them. But if we fail to find any connection, it shows that we’ve been working out of a sense of obligation rather than a personal connection, and that is why we are without simcha. This lack of joy stems from being disconnected; we feel like we are just going through the motions without any personal stake.
Hashem is disappointed when we are without simcha because it means that—despite the multitude of opportunities He provides—we haven’t discovered our personal connection to Torah. Therefore, If we find even a small point in Torah and Mitzvos where we feel personally connected, that connection makes us essential in the business of the Borei Olam. It allows us to go through Rosh Hashanah not just without pressure, but with joy and happiness—as we are not just fulfilling obligations; we are engaging in something that speaks to us personally.
The thought that the Borei Olam demands all תריג mitzvos immediately and perfectly is very daunting, perhaps even causing overwhelming pressure. Therefore, it’s essential to recognize the profound significance of even the smallest movement in one’s Avoidas Hashem. One millimeter of progress can be worth an entire lifetime, as seen in the Ramban’s explanation of פילגש בגבעה.
In this tragic episode, 80,000 people were killed—40,000 from Bnei Yisrael and 40,000 from Shevet Binyamin. Despite the immense loss, the underlying issue was not the battles themselves but a seemingly minor matter: failing to object to the idol of Micha. The entire conflict began over the honor of the Beis Din, but Hashem’s critique was that they fought for this honor while neglecting to protest against idolatry. According to the Ramban, the whole tragedy was done in order to teach this lesson of בכבודי לא מחיתם על כבודו של בשר ודם מחיתם.
This seems quite extreme, because we don’t comprehend that even a minor step in connection to Torah and mitzvos is invaluable. It’s worth dedicating a lifetime to achieve just one step in the right direction. This small but personal connection is what sustains a person throughout the year; even a seemingly insignificant connection can bring immense joy and fulfillment in Avodas Hashem.
It’s common to think of personality in terms of problems and challenges, but in Torah, personality is defined by one’s connection to Torah and mitzvos. The greatness of the 613 mitzvos lies in their ability to provide personal connection points for each individual. These connections are not about reaching some goal but about walking the path of Torah in a way that resonates with one’s own nature.
A defining point of humanity is never being static, always walking and moving – מהלך. Walking in Avodas Hashem requires courage—courage to leave behind the familiar and step into new territory. It’s not enough to remain anchored in old habits; true growth demands movement, even if it means making mistakes along the way.
In times of prophecy, one could go to a prophet to discover their personal path in Avodas Hashem. Today however, we are without Ruach HaKodesh, but that doesn’t mean all hope is lost; by sincerely contemplating and engaging in Torah and Mitzvos, we begin to ‘hear’ where we are personally connected, and this connection guides our spiritual growth.
One must allow the mitzvos to ‘speak to them’—finding emotional resonance, rather than just performing them mechanically. For example, the act of putting on Tefillin can be a profound experience if one contemplates that they are literally placing the Name of Hashem on their body. This realization doesn’t come from intellectual engagement alone but from encountering the mitzvah in a personal and meaningful way.
Educating ourselves to form a personal connection with mitzvos is critical, especially during Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah is not about fulfilling all the mitzvos; it’s about recognizing where you are personally needed in the service of Hashem. This personal connection is what makes the judgment of Rosh Hashanah so significant, and transforms Avodas Hashem from a pressure-filled obligation into a joyous, fulfilling experience.