One of the great frustrations with our justice system is the painfully long time one must wait to have their case heard in front of a judge or jury. The upside is that the lawyers have plenty of time to prepare the right defense strategy.
In preparation for the Day of Judgement - Rosh Hashanah we have an entire month of Elul to prepare ourselves by increasing our Torah learning and Mitzvah observance, blowing the shofar every day to put us in the proper mindset.
This Saturday night at midnight our preparations go into high gear as we begin reciting the Selichot prayers every day until Rosh Hashanah. In addition to fixing the past and making good resolutions for the future now is the time to strategize how we will approach G-d on Rosh Hashanah and elicit a positive verdict for a good and sweet new year.
The liturgy of Selichot begins with this verse from the prophet Daniel: “To You, O L-rd, is Tzedakah (the righteousness), and to us is the shamefacedness.”
This opening statement sets the tone for our judgement day defense strategy. We are not asking G-d to consider all of the good things we did this past year, especially in the month of Elul, or to take into account our resolutions for the coming year. We want G-d to give us everything as a Tzedakah, as charity.
The only thing that comes for free is Tzedakah. Even a gift only happens when the giver has benefitted in some way from the receiver. But Tzedakah is selfless. The benefactor and the beneficiary may have no prior relationship and still the benefactor gives Tzedakah for no reason connected to the beneficiary.
Selichot reminds us that although it is important to prepare ourselves for Rosh Hashanah, we must always maintain a humble attitude and not expect G-d reward us for our actions. We want Him to provide us our needs this coming year in a way of Tzedakah.
Although this perspective may sound timid and depressing it is in fact the most empowering and encouraging message for us all. Regardless of what we deserve we are aiming for bigger and better. When G-d provides us based on our merits there is certainly a limit. But when G-d provides us based on His ability to give Tzedakah - the possibilities are limitless.
This Tzedakah strategy has ramifications for our approach to serving G-d as well. Just as we want G-d to disregard process and give us beyond all limits, we too should disregard process and commit to increase our Torah learning and Mitzvah observance even when it seems difficult and uncomfortable.
Let’s make our two way divine relationship boundless and limitless as only Tzedakah can be.