Living Torah Archives

“Seek G-d when he is found, call Him when He is near.” Our sages teach that this verse refers to the Ten Days Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, when our repentance is especially effective and accepted immediately by G-d.

During the days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, known as the ten days of repentance, every individual has the power of a minyan, a quorum of ten: That which at any other time of year requires the combined effort of ten, can be achieved by the individual during these ten days.

“The Talmud explains that one must seek G-d all year round, but during the Ten Days of Repentance, the merit of one single individual is amplified. G-d only asks him to ‘seek’ and to ‘call’ Him, and He will surely grant one’s requests.”

The prophet Isaiah declares: “Seek G‑d when He can be found, call to Him when He is near.” The Talmud explains: “This refers to the Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.”

Regarding the Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Isaiah the Prophet states: “Seek G-d when He is found, call to Him when He is near.”

The first ten days of the year, beginning with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur, are called "the Ten Days of Repentance." But the commentaries liken the seven days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to Chol Hamoed - as if they were intermediate days of a joyous Festival. How can these days of awe be joyful days at the same time?