At the heart of the Mussaf prayer of Yom Kippur stands the service of the Kohen Gadol [High Priest], whose purpose is "to atone for all the sins of Israel." (Leviticus 16:34) One man brings merit to the entire nation, atoning for them and defending them.
Yet, the Kohen Gadol's service does not exempt the people from repenting. Quite the contrary, Yom Kippur is a time of repentance for us all, individual and nation. It is a time of ultimate forgiveness for Israel. Therefore, we are all obligated to repent and to confess on Yom Kippur (Rambam, Hilchot Teshuva 2:7).
All the same, there is one man who brings merit to them all and atones for them.
Today, as we approach Yom Kippur, we must learn from the Kohen Gadol. We must follow in his path, as it says (Avot 1:12): "Be amongst the disciples of Aaron. Love peace and pursue it, love people and bring them nearer to Torah." A spark from the great, benevolent soul of the Kohen Gadol, who lovingly blesses his people Israel, will illuminate our souls. In our generation especially, we must awaken our love for the Jewish People and for every individual Jew.
"This supreme love must especially awaken itself amongst people of heart and spirit at a time when the spiritual state of the nation is in decline, a time when all that is holy is being soundly trampled and religion is being fiercely scorned. They must perceive that despite all of this, the spiritual potential of Israel is enormous. They must see through to the inner light that permeates the spirit of the nation, and that likewise abides in every individual Jewish spirit, either openly or clandestinely. It even abides in the spirit of that individual who has withdrawn himself far from G-d's path." (Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, Orot 148)
When we walk in the path of the Kohen Gadol, we will merit to see with our own eyes the fulfillment of Rabbi Akiva's words: "How fortunate you are, O Israel! Before whom do you purify yourselves? Who purifies you? Your Father in Heaven, as it says, 'I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean.' And it says, 'G-d is the hope [mikvah] of Israel.' Just as a mikvah [which also means 'ritual bath'] purifies the impure, so does G-d purify Israel." (Yoma 85b)
May you be signed and sealed for a good year.
Yet, the Kohen Gadol's service does not exempt the people from repenting. Quite the contrary, Yom Kippur is a time of repentance for us all, individual and nation. It is a time of ultimate forgiveness for Israel. Therefore, we are all obligated to repent and to confess on Yom Kippur (Rambam, Hilchot Teshuva 2:7).
All the same, there is one man who brings merit to them all and atones for them.
Today, as we approach Yom Kippur, we must learn from the Kohen Gadol. We must follow in his path, as it says (Avot 1:12): "Be amongst the disciples of Aaron. Love peace and pursue it, love people and bring them nearer to Torah." A spark from the great, benevolent soul of the Kohen Gadol, who lovingly blesses his people Israel, will illuminate our souls. In our generation especially, we must awaken our love for the Jewish People and for every individual Jew.
"This supreme love must especially awaken itself amongst people of heart and spirit at a time when the spiritual state of the nation is in decline, a time when all that is holy is being soundly trampled and religion is being fiercely scorned. They must perceive that despite all of this, the spiritual potential of Israel is enormous. They must see through to the inner light that permeates the spirit of the nation, and that likewise abides in every individual Jewish spirit, either openly or clandestinely. It even abides in the spirit of that individual who has withdrawn himself far from G-d's path." (Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, Orot 148)
When we walk in the path of the Kohen Gadol, we will merit to see with our own eyes the fulfillment of Rabbi Akiva's words: "How fortunate you are, O Israel! Before whom do you purify yourselves? Who purifies you? Your Father in Heaven, as it says, 'I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean.' And it says, 'G-d is the hope [mikvah] of Israel.' Just as a mikvah [which also means 'ritual bath'] purifies the impure, so does G-d purify Israel." (Yoma 85b)
May you be signed and sealed for a good year.