1. Today (Thursday) is The Fast of Gedaliah. It began at dawn and continues until the stars come out. This fast was established to commemorate the murder of Gedaliah ben Ahikam, the leader of the Jews who remained in the Land of Israel after the destruction of the First Temple. He was murdered by a fellow Jew, Ishmael ben Nethaniah. The fast was established for generations as a painful reminder of the dangers inherent in such fratricide and the destruction that followed the murder - the complete end of Jewish existence in the Holy Land.
2. This is the third day of the Ten Days of Repentance, between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. These are special days considered "days of favor" - days that have the potential for positive change.
3. Maimonides writes about these special days: "Although repentance and crying out are always good, during the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur they are especially good and are immediately accepted." He quotes the prophet Isaiah, who describes days of special closeness: "Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near." In other words, during these days we can feel closer to God and should take advantage of them for improvement.
4. During the Ten Days of Repentance there are special changes in prayer. Here is one of the beautiful additions: "In the book of life, blessing and peace, good livelihood and good decrees, salvation and comfort, may we and all Your people, the house of Israel, be remembered and inscribed before You for a good life and for peace."
5. What do we wish each other now? We still say "Shana Tova" of course, but as we approach the sealing of judgment on Yom Kippur, we can add "Gmar Chatimah Tovah" (May you be sealed for good). These aren't just words - they express faith that we have the opportunity for repair during these days, so that we may be sealed for a good and may it be a sweet year, Amen.
