Take it Home!

The most prominent role of the Kohen Gadol, the high priest, was his entrance into the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur.

In this week’s Torah portion, we learn about the role of the Kohen Gadol on Yom Kippur. On this holy day, the Kohen Gadol performed all the regular daily services himself. Special atonement offerings were brought, and an additional incense offering was also brought in the Holy of Holies.

Maimonides, in his description of the day’s activities, writes that at the end of his long day, the Kohen Gadol went home. The Rebbe asked about the relevancy of this statement. What do we care about what he did after he performed the services? He did what he was told to do.

The holiness of Yom Kippur enables each one of us to rise to a very high spiritual level. Most Jews feel a high on Yom Kippur and feel empowered to grow in their Judaism.

When the day is over, it’s important to bring that positive experience back home with us. It can’t just remain in the synagogue. It needs to affect our daily lives at work, school, or wherever we may be.

And the same is true with any Mitzvah. Generally speaking, we feel energized after performing a Mitzvah, and after making good choices. We need to bottle up that positive energy to tap into when the going gets tough.

May we all find the strength to make it to the finish line, with the coming of Moshiach now!

Light Shabbat candles before 7:31 PM (NYC).

Wishing you a very uplifting Shabbat!