The great days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, together with the seven days in between, are the ten days of repentance. These days provide the Jewish people with a unique opportunity to repent and improve themselves. G-d is particularly close to Israel during these days, and therefore a Jew should take advantage of this unique time and turn to G-d in a spirit of penitence.

In Isaiah 55:6, the verse states: “Seek G-d when He is to be found, call out to Him when He is near.” Our Sages explain this verse as follows: This teaches us that there are times when G-d is to be found, and there are times when G-d is not to be found. There are times when He is near and times when He is not near. When is G-d to be found and near? Throughout the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Due to the nature of these ten days, they are a particularly opportune time to improve ourselves, dedicate ourselves to the ideals of Torah, and form a bond with The Master of the Universe.

Many Jews heed the call of these awesome and majestic days – a call to self-examination and meditation upon the true meaning of life and its struggles. This leads to stronger faith in G-d and loyalty to His Torah. These days are an appropriate time to resolve to make Judaism a living reality in our lives. Fortifying our homes by the observance of Kashrus, Sabbath and Holidays; inculcating in our children a love of Judaism by example and providing them with a maximum Jewish education; strengthening our synagogues by using them through out the year as houses of prayer and centers of learning.