One Day Alone

One of the focal points of Yom Kippur is of course Viduy. We say Viduy, in one form or another, ten times over the course of Yom Hakadosh. This explicit expression of our Aveiros is an integral part of Teshuva and the Avodas Hayom.

But there is one additional time when the Viduy is said: Erev Yom Kippur during Mincha. There are a number of reasons given for this practice, but I wanted to share one explanation that I saw this year in two different sources from opposite ends of the ideological spectrum, so to speak: the Ba’al Shem Tov and R’ Shlomo Kluger. I think that the essence of Yom Kippur is well expressed in this thought and can be a great source of Chizuk as we approach the Yom Hakadosh

There is a phenomenon that many people experience on Erev Yom Kippur: as Yom Tov itself approaches, a feeling of nervousness, even dread, descends upon them. This happens not only to Tzaddikim who understand the gravity of the impending day, but to “regular” people as well. This phenomenon can be explained with the following thought as well.

The Gemarah in Yoma tells us that the Satan has no Reshus to act on Yom Kippur itself—this is a day that is reserved for Mechila and Kapparah, and there is no room for a prosecutor to make his case. The Satan, however, has a job and a Tafkid—he is responsible for ensuring that the “truth” is presented, that our Avonos are properly enumerated before Hashem. Knowing that he has no ability to carry out this task on the day of Yom Kippur he takes the opportunity on Erev Yom Kippur, right before Yom Tov sets in, to present as many Aveiros as possible. He gathers as many sources of Kitrog as possible, and pushes them through right before the doors close.

It is for this reason that some people feel this seemingly inexplicable sense of nerves and dread: it is at that moment that the Satan is making his case. Although we obviously have no relationship to these type of “Shamayim” activities, the Gemarah in numerous places notes there are times that while we cannot see something, our Mazel senses it and that affect us. Here to, although we do not know when the Satan is attempting to push forth our Aveiros, our Mazal can sense it and that can cause us to do feel nervous.

With this in mind we can gain a new understanding into the Viduy of Erev Yom Kippur.

Anyone who ever made trouble in school knows that it is better to tell your parents personally than to allow them to find out when the principal calls. We therefore say the Viduy on Erev Yom Kippur, laying out our Avonos before the Satan has a chance to present them, thus allowing us the opportunity to “soften the blow” so to speak. This gives us a chance to speak to Hashem, outlining not only or shortcomings, but our desire to do Teshuva and avoid further Chet. In this way we can mitigate the affect of the Satan’s actions in the time leading up to Yom Kippur.

While this is a surely a nice thought regarding the Viduy of Yom Kippur, I think it also highlights one of the most important and empowering aspects of Yom Kippur itself.

My Rebbe, R’ Moshe Twersky Ztvk’’l referred to Yom Kippur as a day of Olam Habbah. While Shabbos is known as “M’ein Olam Habbah”, like or akin to Olam Habbah, Yom Kippur, the Shabbos Shabason is Olam Habbah itself. Chazal describe Olam Habbah as “Tzaddikim Yoshvim, V’Atrosehem B’Roshehem V’Nehenin M’Ziv Hashechina: Tazddik sit with their Tallesim over their heads and enjoy the glow of the Shechina.” On Yom Kippur, when we sit, dressed as Malachim and free of Gashmiyus, we are enjoying that same existence. That is Yom Kippur.

On such a day, a time that is reserved for us to reconnect to Hashem on the deepest most intimate level, there is surely no room for the Satan to be Mikatreg. The Lashon of the Gemrah reveals that this is the express desire of Hashem: the Satan has no “Reshus” to act on Yom Kippur—his Tafkid is suspended for the day for Hashem wishes to be alone with his children.

As we come to Yom Kippur, there is surely room for trepidation but that emotion must be accompanied by joy and appreciation for the power of the day. We have the opportunity to come before Hashem himself and be cleansed of all the dirt that has sullied our Neshamos over the past year. We can enjoy a day of Olam Habbah itself, being Neheneh M’Ziv Hashchina, and grow immeasurably from the experience.

As I have mentioned in the past, R’ Shimshon Pincus suggests that when we say “Avinu Malkenu Nah Al Tishlichenu Rekam Milfanecha” we have this growth in mind. We should ask Hashem not to send us away from him, from this day that we spend alone with Hashem, empty handed. We must ask Hashem to give us the strength and opportunity to grow from the experience of Yom Kippur, bringing this day of Olam Habbah with us into the next year.

May we all be Zoche to experience a Yom Kippur that is one of Slicha and Mechila while taking what we can from the day itself, leading us into a year of continued growth and Brachos, a year that is defined by our success in achieving a Gmar Chasima Tova on this Yom Kippur.