Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, will start in just a few hours. It marks 3331 years to the day since God forgave the Jews for their sin of worshiping a golden calf idol at the foot of Mt. Sinai, and has remained a day of atonement ever since.
Last week we celebrated the first day of the year, Rosh Hashanah, when God blesses each and every one of us with a Shana Tova, a happy and healthy sweet new year.
But why does Rosh Hashanah not come after Yom Kippur? Wouldn't it be better to have all our sins forgiven before starting the year, not a week later?
This exact point is the beauty of the High Holidays. While we try our best to improve and fix our wrongdoings, our relationship with God as his children runs so deep that it goes beyond what we do. Every Jew's connection to his or her creator is so fundamental and so profound that it is untouchable and unchangeable.
So on Yom Kippur, when we ask God for forgiveness, we remember that God has already granted us a Shana Tova, a sweet new year. Because we are his children.
Wishing you a meaningful and enjoyable holiday,
Rabbi Avrohom