ROSH HASHANNAH:
THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT
(Taken from a weekly publication of Hammaayan Institutes.
Translated by Rabbi Shabtai Teicher)

Rosh Hashanah is the day of judgment for all the world's mortals. On this day Man is judged as to the events of his life during the forthcoming year. "`The eyes of the L-rd your G-d are upon it (the Land) from the beginning of the year till its end' (Devarim 11) -- From Rosh Hashanah (the beginning of the year) judgment is rendered as to the events occuring till its end" (Rosh Hashanah 8).

Our sages have also spoken about the manner in which G-d scrutinizes His people: At one and the same time He sees them all together and considers the actions of each one separately. "All the world's inhabitants pass before Him like sheep, benei moron (Rosh Hashanah 16). They pass one by one like sheep coming into their shed, being scrutinized by their shepherd -- and yet, this is all done in one single survey."

"Rabbi Cruspedai said in the name of Rabbi Yochanan: Three books are opened on Rosh Hashanah; one of the iniquitous (resha'im gemurim), one of the just (tzadikim gemurim) and one of those who are in the middle' (beinonim). The tzadikim gemurim are immediately inscribed and sealed for life; the resha'im gemurim are immediately inscribed and sealed for death. The beinonim are held over from Rosh Hashanah till Yom Kippur (the tenth of Tishrey). If they merit it -- (and repent) -- they are inscribed for life. If not -- they are inscribed for death" (Rosh Hashanah 17).z

For two basic reasons Rosh Hashanah was ordained to be the Day of Judgment. Firstly, on this day the world's creation was completed, and it was the original Divine intention to govern the world with the attribute of Justice (midat hadin). Secondly, as stated above, it was on this day that Adam was judged, that he repented and was forgiven.

These two reasons are alluded in the musaf service of Rosh Hashanah: "For you will bring a statute of Providence that every spirit and soul be visited; that a multitude of deeds be remembered and a throng of creatures without end. From the beginning you did make this known and from aforetime You revealed it. This day is the beginning of Your works; it is a memorial for the first of days." -- A memorial for the first day of Creation's completion, and a memorial for the first Day of Judgment.

Our sages have noted: "G-d's way differs from the way of a man of flesh and blood. The way of a man of flesh and blood is to judge a loving friend in an hour of good will, in order to treat him mercifully; and to judge an enemy in an hour of anger, in order to extract strict justice from him. G-d does otherwise: He judges the entire world -- including those who violate His will -- only in an hour of good will -- in the month of Tishrey. This month contains numerous festivals and mitzvot bringing anew the affinity between Him and His creatures. During this month of reconciliation, G-d welcomes Man's prayer and repentance and judges him with compassion.

THE BOOK OF OUR HERITAGE, Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov, vol.1, pp.22-4 Translated by Nathan Bulman, `A' Publishers, 1968