Author Mushka Goldstein

Yom Kippur is a day of Teshuvah for all-even the non-sinners:[1] Every Jew is required to perform Teshuvah, even one who has never sinned. Even the righteous must arouse mercy on the decent of their soul that has entered impurity. It is on this form of Teshuvah that the coming […]

Teshuvah for all past sins on Yom Kippur:[1] The Teshuvah of Yom Kippur is an obligation for all. Even those that have not sinned, or have already done Teshuvah, must do Teshuvah on Yom Kippur. Although Teshuvah is a positive command that must be fulfilled irrelevant of Yom Kippur, nevertheless […]

No day of joy like Yom Kippur-Shidduchim: The Mishneh[1] states: Rebbe Shimon Ben Gamliel said, “There were not days of joy for the Jewish people like the 15th of Av and Yom Kippur.” These days became a day of Shidduchim, where men would pick for themselves brides. The potential brides […]

Will we celebrate and fast oln Yom Kippur in the future when Moshiach comes? The day of Yom Kippur will continue to exist even after the coming of Moshiach.[1] We will also fast on this day just as was done prior to Moshiach’s coming.[2] The purpose of this fast will […]

Hashem is near during the Ten Days of Repentance:[1] The verse states, “Dirshu Hashem Bihimatzo, Karuhu Bihiyoso Karov/Search for Hashem when He is found, call Him when He is close.” The Sages expound that this verse refers to the Ten Days of Repentance. Seemingly, the entire concept of Hashem being […]

Teshuvah-Returning to Hashem: (Likkutei Torah) The concept of repentance is not only associated with sin. It is also applicable even to one who has never transgressed. The meaning of Teshuvah is to return to one’s source. Every soul, through its descent below into the physical and corporeal world, goes through […]

The Taanug of fasting experienced on Yom Kippur: (Likkutei Torah) Yom Kippur is similar to the world to come, which contains neither food nor drink. The reason why we fast on Yom Kippur is because it represents the Olam Hataanug [pleasure]. This is because all of Israel is elevated on […]

The essence of a Jews soul is free from sin-Teshuvah reveals the essence:[1] The Chassidic teachings explain that the Jewish soul is an actual part of G-d above which contains five levels. The lowest level relates to action, the second to emotion, the third to intellect, the fourth to will, […]