Why is Rosh HaShanah before Yom Kippur whether on Yom Kippur we repent for last year’s sins… shouldn’t we do it before the New Year starts?

Thank you for your insightful question. I would take that question even further and ask why should Rosh Hashana, the ‘Day of Judgment’ – judgment on the deeds of the past year – occur on the first day of the new year, rather than on the last day of the past year.

The reply lies in the way Judaism views the concept of Judgment. Judgment is much more than simply determining how much punishment or reward a person deserves in that world and the next. According to the Talmud, all of a person’s sustenance for the coming year is determined on Rosh Hashana – it is a judgment in the sense of taking detail of all the factors in a person’s life and next ‘judging’ what he requires for the year, a complete assignment of one’s potential. In other words, it is the renewal of the year itself which triggers a period of stocktaking during which G-d reevaluates the present

state of the world, and makes a judgment as to what is called for for the coming year. Yom Kippur is simply part of that period of judgment and renewal and thus occurs after the new year has begun.

Obviously there is much more to write, but I hope that helps for starters.

Sincerely,
Ari Lobel

Original post by Mordechai

Mezuza Hanukkah Monorah Orthodox Jews Chanukah Kosher Food Yarmulke Kashrut Government Chanuka Artscroll Paroches Kosher Tours Artscrolls Rabbi Kosher Hotels Passover Torah Tallis Bag Shul Menorah Haggadahs Torah Scrolls Jewish News Ketubah Yarmulkas Talis Torah Cover Shuls Kosher Recipes Jewish Personals Chanukia Menorahs Beth Din Free Rosh Hashanah Jewish Rituals Kashrut Guide Kosher Wedding Communities And Synagogues Judaism Orthodox Jew Jewish Portal Soncino Reform Jews Shabbat Mezzuzah Kosher Camps Synagogue Jewish Women