Q:
What is meant when people say that Hoshana Rabah is the final sealing of the decree that was sealed on Yom Kippur?
A:
The truth is that the final sealing of the decree is done on Yom Kippur. That’s the end. Finished. Hoshana Rabah is actually only נידונין על המים. It’s only that we’re judged for parnasa, in the form of water that we need for all food to grow.
But הקדוש ברוך הוא always leaves some little last resort for the losers. So if somebody in that little interval between Yom Kippur and Hoshana Rabah is able to generate a great effort of teshuva he will be able to alleviate to some extent – to some extent – his גזר דין, his final decree.
But not ordinarily. Ordinarily, for all practical purposes the גזר דין is made on Yom Hakippurim. It’s only the kaballah seforim that revealed to us that there is a little back door left to get in. Because according to the Gemara it’s only that בחג נידונין על המים – that on Sukkos we are only judged for water, for parnasa, and that’s all. So don’t wait for Hoshana Rabah. Get busy on Yom Kippur doing teshuva and don’t rely on Hoshana Rabah.
TAPE # 140
