If each of the Jewish holidays has a "mirror image" - a Chag that parallels the other - then Rosh Hashana and Pesach would seem to go together. Rosh HaShana inaugurates our year, while Pesach (half a year later) is technically the first chag of the year. Rosh HaShana deals with Creation; Pesach with Liberation. "L'Shana Haba'a B'Yerushalayim" is recited on Pesach and also after the AseretY'mai Tshuva.
But there is a major difference between the two holidays: On Pesach, we refrain from eating matza not only on Erev Chag, but already from Rosh Chodesh Nisan, in order to build up anticipation for the matza. For Rosh Hashana, however, we have a totally different approach. During the entire month leading up to it, we work on our midot, increase our prayers & our kavana, ask for the forgiveness we will seek when Tishrei actually begins.
Shofar? It may be a mitzva to hear on Rosh HaShana, but we've been hearing the Tekiot for 30 days already. Selichot? Nothing new for us; we've been saying them for days (or weeks, if one follows Sefardic tradition). Why do we not hold back until Rosh HaShana, as we do on Pesach, and build up anticipation for the Days of Judgement?
Rav Mordechai Kamenetsky quotes the phrase in the Selichot, "Like beggars and paupers we come knocking on Your door, Hashem," and then offers a lovely story to explain:
A tzedaka-collector once came to a wealthy section of town and knocked on the door of a stately home. A woman opened the door, gave a disapproving frown to the Meshulach, and snarled, "What do you want?"
The collector explained his noble cause and need for help, but the lady of the house was unimpressed. "I don't know you from Adam," she said, "and I don't give to anyone I don't know." With that, she slammed the door.
Nonplused, the collector slowly walked around the block a couple of times, returned to the same house and again rang the bell. "What are you doing back here?!" yelled the incredulous lady, "I just told you I only give to those whom I know!"
"But we DO know each other," smiled the persistent meshulach, "we had a nice chat not more than 15 minutes ago!"
It's so much easier to be kind and giving to those whom we know and recognize. So rather than do a "cold call" on Hashem, we get to "know" Him well before Rosh Hashana. But the real lesson is: Don't be a stranger to Hashem and pop in once a year. Show up at Hashem's house EVERY day, and He will welcome you warmly and generously. As we say in "L'David," recited daily during this season, "One thing I ask of G-d: Let me dwell in His House all the days of my life."
May we all be welcome guests in the Palace of the King.
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Stewart Weiss directs the Ra'anana Torah Outreach Center