Chapter V

Rosh HaShanah1 is the time for accepting the Heavenly yoke. It is similar in some ways to accepting the dominion of a human king, whereby a person accepts upon himself the obligation to carry out all the king's decrees.

During Rosh HaShanah, one should repent for one's misconduct and evil character traits, as well as for one's failure to comply with the will of G-d, the King of kings. He should accept the Heavenly yoke, establish a set time daily for Torah study, develop a taste for unhurried prayer, perform mitzvos with vivacity, and derive pleasure from good character traits and love of his fellow Jew.

This, then, is the meaning of the verse: "Understand, you senseless among the people; you fools, when will you become wise?" People say that they cannot understand Torah for it is beyond their grasp, but the truth is that all depends on an individual's desire.

During Rosh HaShanah, every Jew must awaken within himself the desire to study Torah and perform mitzvos, and thereby merit a good and blessed year materially and spiritually.

In summary: The spiritual service of Rosh HaShanah is repentance, i.e., regretting one's misdeeds and accepting the Heavenly yoke to study Torah and perform mitzvos. Through desire, one can attain the profoundest measure of knowledge and the best manner of conduct.