Yom Kippur - Devoted | Rabbi Nachum Binder

It's the eve of Yom Kippur, and as we prepare to enter the holiest day of the year, we do so with so much anticipation for the Tahara, the purity, the cleanliness, that Yom Kippur offers. But at the same time, we enter the day with trepidation. On the fast day of Yom Kippur, they will be sealed. Anything and everything that will take place the coming year is dependent on the sealing of Yom Hakippurim. And the holy Zohar tells us that as we enter Yom Kippur, the Yetzer Hara, the Sitra Achra, the Satan comes and he prosecutes Klal Yisroel, he’s Mekatreg on Klal Yisroel, with 400 prosecutors, 400 Mekatregim, as the Pasuk tells us that Eisav comes with 400 men with him. How do we respond to that prosecution? I think that it's time to find merit for Klal Yisroel. The Gemara in Masechtas Pesachim tells us that there was a time in history that the Ribono shel Olam Himself, so to speak, was Mekatreg on Klal Yisroel. And the Ribono shel Olam turned to Hoshea the Prophet and said that Klal Yisroel has sinned, your sons have sinned. And Hoshea the Prophet, instead of responding and pleading and begging, he said to the Ribono shel Olam, Exchange them for another nation. Which looks like Hoshea the Prophet is saying, Yes, You're right. Get rid of Klal Yisroel and take someone else in their place. And the holy Rebbe, R’ Meilech, in Likutei Shoshana, explains what Hoshea the Prophet was telling the Ribono shel Olam. Yes, Tatte. Klal Yisroel has their difficulties, Klal Yisroel has their struggles, Klal Yisroel has their deficiencies, but take another nation and put them in their place and see how they respond. Take a look at the world of 5787, of 2026, at the nations of the world. How do they respond to the immorality, to the schmutz, to the corruption that the Yetzer Hara is bringing upon this world? And how does Klal Yisroel respond? Yes, we have our difficulties. Yes, we have our struggles. Yes, we have our shortcomings. But how do we respond? We respond with wanting, with longing. We respond with courage. We respond with strength. We respond by constantly trying. Ribono shel Olam, Heilige Bashefer, as You look down at Klal Yisroel on this Yom Kippur, look at us and see what we're trying for. Look at us and see what we're aiming for. Look at us and see that in spite of all our problems, of all of our deficiencies, of all of our spiritual declines, how pure and precious we are. Look at us and have compassion, Tatte. Look at us and realize how devoted Your children are to You. Let us take upon ourselves this Yom Kippur one small thing that we're going to work on. One matter in the area of the holiness of the Jewish people and guarding one’s eyes. And in that merit, Heilige Bashefer, in the Book of Good Life and Peace with a good livelihood, and good decrees, salvation and comfort, may we be remembered and sealed before You we and all Your people, the House of Israel, for a good life and for peace. May we be sealed for a good year.