1. The Unique Power of the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah
We find ourselves in the midst of the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah—the Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. This period includes every day of the week, with each day corresponding to a day from the previous year, allowing us to make amends for the past and prepare for the coming year. This Shabbos is known as Shabbos Teshuvah, and we read the Haftorah beginning with “Shuvah Yisrael”—Return, Israel. The entire focus is on teshuvah, repentance and return.
The significance of these days is profound. Each day offers a unique opportunity to rectify what was lacking on that same weekday throughout the previous year, as well as to set a positive tone for that day in the coming year. These are days filled with potential for spiritual growth and transformation.
2. The Talmudic Source: When Is Hashem Close?
The Talmud in Tractate Rosh Hashanah discusses whether a divine decree against a community can be overturned even after it has been sealed. The Gemara asks: How do we know that even a sealed decree can be annulled? It brings the verse, “Who is like Hashem our God whenever we call out to Him,” suggesting that Hashem always listens when we call.
However, another verse states, “Dirshu Hashem bihimotzo, kera'uhu bihyoso karov”—Seek Hashem when He is found; call Him when He is close. This implies there are specific times when Hashem is especially accessible. The Gemara reconciles these verses by explaining that a tzibbur—a community—can always call out and be answered, but an individual must seek Hashem during special times when He is “found” or “close.”
The Gemara identifies these special times as the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur—Aseres Yemei Teshuvah. During this period, even individuals have direct access to Hashem’s closeness and can overturn negative decrees through sincere prayer and repentance.
3. Elul Versus Aseres Yemei Teshuvah: The King’s Proximity
A question often arises regarding Elul, when it is said that “the king is in the field”. During Elul, Hashem’s 13 attributes of mercy are revealed, but He has not yet ascended to His throne as king in full authority. In this state, while Hashem greets everyone with a smiling face and openness, His power to grant pardons is not fully manifest.
The analogy can be drawn to an inauguration: before inauguration day, a president-elect may greet people warmly but lacks official powers such as granting pardons. Once inaugurated, he possesses full authority. Similarly, during Aseres Yemei Teshuvah, Hashem sits on His throne as king over the city—He is both close and empowered to grant forgiveness in a way that was not possible during Elul.
This concept of “the king in the field” originates from Chassidus, particularly from the Alter Rebbe and later Chassidic masters who elaborated on its meaning. However, the Talmud itself already highlights that these ten days are uniquely suited for seeking closeness with Hashem.
4. The Rebbe’s Insight: Two Expressions of Divine Closeness
The Rebbe notes an apparent redundancy in the verse: first it says “bihimotzo”—when He is found—and then “bihyoso karov”—when He is close. While one might think this repetition simply adds poetic variety, Torah language is always precise and meaningful.
The Rebbe explains that these two expressions correspond to different aspects of teshuvah. Sometimes we may feel we missed our opportunity—perhaps we did not take advantage of Elul or earlier moments when Hashem was accessible. Yet “bihimotzo”, being found unexpectedly like discovering something precious you didn’t anticipate finding, teaches us that even if we neglected earlier opportunities, Hashem makes Himself available during these ten days regardless of our prior actions.
5. Unconditional Acceptance: Like a Parent’s Love for a Child
The Jewish people are likened to children before their Father in Heaven. Just as parents quickly forgive their children out of essential love despite misbehavior, so too does Hashem respond with compassion even if we have fallen short.
This idea extends beyond mere forgiveness: even if we failed to seek out Hashem previously or did not prepare properly for these days, He remains accessible if we now seek Him sincerely during Aseres Yemei Teshuvah. Our essence connection as children ensures that if we reach out now, Hashem will be found by us.
6. True Closeness: Not Just Acceptance but Embrace
The verse continues with “bihyoso karov”—when He is close—to teach us another dimension: not only does Hashem accept us despite our shortcomings (being “found”) but He draws us near with warmth and love (being “close”). This parallels how charity should be given: not just tossing money at someone in need but offering encouragement and dignity along with material help.
The Gemara teaches that appeasing or uplifting someone who asks for help brings greater blessing than merely giving charity alone. Similarly, during these ten days, Hashem doesn’t just grant forgiveness from afar but embraces us closely so we feel His love and support deeply.
7. Levels of Teshuvah: Return for All Souls
This dual process applies both to those who feel distant due to mistakes and those who generally live righteously but still strive for deeper connection (teshuvah). Even souls already close must continually return—elevating themselves beyond their current state because every soul descends from a lofty place into this world filled with challenges and concealments.
Teshuvah means returning our soul’s holiness back into alignment with its source above by overcoming obstacles and reconnecting fully with Hashem through Torah study (Torah), mitzvos (mitzvos), prayer (davening), and good deeds (maasim tovim). Every Jew can draw closer no matter where they start from because at our core we are always beloved children before our Father in Heaven.
8. Blessings for the New Year: Closeness Now and Redemption Soon
As we approach Yom Kippur at the end of these ten days, we pray for a chasima tovah ve’gmar chasima tovah—a good inscription and sealing for a sweet new year filled with blessings in all areas of life.
May our efforts bring about true closeness with Hashem now and hasten the coming of Moshiach who will redeem us from exile (golus) so that all Jews will experience ultimate nearness to Hashem speedily in our days.