This is called the commandment of Teshuvah (repentance). What is Teshuvah? The verse in Parashat Nitzavim — says:
“And it shall come to pass, when all these things come upon you — the blessing and the curse which I have set before you — and you take them to heart among all the nations where the L-d your G-d has driven you, and you return to the L-d your G-d and listen to His voice, according to all that I command you this day, you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul.”
(Devarim / Deuteronomy 30:1–2)
And immediately afterward, the Torah continues:
“Then L-d your G-d will bring back your captivity and have compassion on you, and will return and gather you from all the nations where the L-d your G-d as scattered you. If your outcasts are at the ends of the heavens — from there the L-d your G-d will gather you, and from there He will take you. And L-d your G-d will bring you to the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and He will do you good, and multiply you more than your fathers. And the L-d your G-d will circumcise your heart and L-d your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.”
(Devarim / Deuteronomy 30:3–6)
Are these verses speaking about Teshuvah or about Redemption? It becomes clear that Teshuvah and Redemption are two sides of the same coin. The People of Israel return to their Land, establish their State, and fight for their existence — all of these are part of the mitzvah of Teshuvah.
Our State is a sign and proof of national repentance: we returned from exile, came to the Land of Israel, and established our State — the State of G-d in the Land of Israel. This is the very state that the prophets spoke of and that the great leaders of past generations dreamed of — and we are privileged to live in the midst of this extraordinary process.
The People of Israel built their State. The People of Israel established their army — what an army! A wonderful, holy, moral army, the most ethical in the world — one that knows how to fight when enemies rise to destroy it, yet also knows how to sanctify the weapon it holds, everything done with holiness and purity.
This is a nation that knows how to build its economy — we have a strong, resilient economy. No one will be able to break our spirit with improper means. We will continue to build, to rise, and to sanctify ourselves. With God’s help, all of us together will celebrate this Rosh Hashanah — even with our personal pain and the tragedies we have endured — we will know how to lift ourselves up and bring us all to higher spiritual levels.
"And how fortunate we are, how good is our portion, how pleasant our lot, and how beautiful our heritage!"
Wishing everyone a good and blessed year.