A Time of Judgement

A United Nations report that accuses Israel of committing war crimes during its offensive against Hamas in Gaza is "dangerous" and legitimizes terrorism, Israel's deputy foreign minister said Wednesday.

It states in the Midrash-Book of Metaphor it is better to be judged on earth than in heaven because earthly judgement has room for compassion whereas heavenly judgement is strict beyond comparison; only compassion from God can mitigate the heavenly judgement. Besides God, one’s self is the most important judge.

On the eve of Rosh HaShana/New Year 1939 the German army invaded Poland resulting in the beginning of World War II and the slaughtering of six million Jews; now 70 years later on the cusp of Rosh HaShana/New Year 2009 the United Nations disputes Israel’s claim to self-protection for the over six million Jews who live in Israel. Israel has always been held to a higher standard of moral behavior which she has accepted upon herself to be an example to the nations.

The ten days between Rosh HaShana/New Year and Yom Kipur/Day of Atonement are called Yomim Norim/Days of Awe–it is during this time that God is referred to as King because the king in this world is the final arbiter in the process of judgement.

During the days just before the Rosh HaShana/New Year are recited special prayers called Slichot/Forgivenesses to enter into the holiday in a state of spiritual clarity.