[Avodah] THE I.R.S.O. AUDIT

[R Wolberg]

We have all recently (and hopefully) done a "cheshbon hanefesh."  We are
taught by the sages that every person must regularly do a "cheshbon
hanefesh" - a spiritual accounting.

On April 15th we have an accounting to do for the IRS but cheshbon hanefesh
is a much more difficult and involved spiritual accounting. It means taking
a hard inventory on our behavior and life. We will all be eventually audited
by the I.R.S.O. ("Infinite Ribono Shel Olam). This idea of monitoring our
actions is built into the Jewish calendar as well.  The final day of any
time period is an ideal time to review our progress or lack thereof. The
final month of the Jewish year, Elul, is a time when we analyze our previous
year's actions and deportment, as well as the end of each day and the end of
the week (before the start of each Shabbos).

 

Similarly, the final day of each Hebrew month is called Yom Kippur Katan, in
which we are enjoined to review the month's activities.  It is called Yom
Kippur katan (the "small Yom Kippur") because it involves the activities of
just the previous month - and not year. Its relation to the holy day of Yom
Kippur is that on Yom Kippur we review and make amends for the entire year
just passed; but the functions of both are basically the same.

 

Tomorrow evening begins Rosh Chodesh, so happy "cheshbon hanefesh".

 

ri

 

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