As we stand before Rosh Hashanah and say Selichos, what is really happening when we call out the Yud-Gimmel Middos HaRachamim?

Are we simply asking Hashem for mercy – or is there something much deeper taking place?

Beginning with Moshe Rabbeinu coming down the mountain after the Chet HaEgel, Rabbi Yaacov Haber explains the extraordinary journey Klal Yisrael went through, from relying on intermediaries to standing directly before Hashem.

Chazal teach us that when we invoke the Yud-Gimmel Middos, Hashem is, so to speak, davening together with us. As we enter the Yamim Noraim, this is a powerful reminder: Daven for yourself, Daven for your family, Daven for Am Yisrael, and know that we are never Davening alone.