Do you ever wonder why we describe the holidays of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur as the “High Holy Days” or the “Days of Awe” rather than as two separate occasions, namely Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur? Of course, one of the reasons that these two holy days are grouped together is that they fall only ten days apart on the calendar. Another reason is that the two holidays and the days in between form one continuous time period or a process extending from the New Year, which is the anniversary of the Creation of the world on Rosh Hashana, and ending with Yom Kippur, when repentance is accepted and judgments are sealed.
The fact that these ten days include Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur in their number demonstrate that the entire time period is one long process. It is during this time that, propelled by the energy created on the New Year, we rectify our faults, apologize for misdeeds and omissions and try to spend more time in prayer and doing good deeds, such as giving to charity or helping those in need. Rather than having a week “off” between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, the days in between are devoted to spiritual pursuits, but as they are enacted in our every day lives, since, except on Shabbos, we go through our ordinary routine on these days.
It is customary to limit one’s business activities at this time in order to spend more time and energy in prayer and meditation. “Sell before Rosh Hashana and buy before Yom Kippur” is an adage among many Jews in finance. Traditionally, many Jews sold off their stock portfolios before Rosh Hashana and purchased stock again after Yom Kippur to concentrate on spiritual rather than material pursuits during this time. Recently, a financial analyst has discovered, after researching the strategy for several years, that doing this can give one a financial edge. Of course, we can’t measure the spiritual benefits in terms of dollars and cents, but it is clear from this example that Hashem takes care of our physical as well as spiritual needs.
The Arizal, a great Kabbalistic sage, said that the purpose of the seven days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur is to atone on the Monday for every sin committed on Monday, on Tuesday, to atone for Tuesdays and so on. That Shabbos, called “Shabbat Teshuvah” can bring light to the entire week, as Shabbat usually does, and since every day corresponds to all of those particular days of the year, Shabbat Teshuva can bring vitality to the entire year ahead.