Adapted from: Steps to the Throne by Rabbi Nosson Muller

The Chiddushei HaRim’s very first address upon assuming leadership took place during the days of Selichos, a week before Rosh Hashanah. He illustrated a Jew’s obligation during this exalted time of year with a powerful parable.

When someone moves to a new home, he said, he doesn’t bring everything from his previous dwelling with him. Much of the old stuff is disposed of. His furniture has taken a beating over the years. They won’t fit with the fresh new look. He carefully chooses what to take along and what to throw in the trash.

When we move from one year to the next, we should view the transition as if we are changing our residence. In twelve months, it is natural for junk to accumulate. As we move on and start over, we should take a hard look at our stuff and decide what is worth holding onto, and what not.

Moving day is just a week away. Sift through your possessions. Be ready to enter your beautiful new home!

The Dubno Maggid brings a similar parable, with a more humorous bent. He tells of the simple villager in the big city, who decides to be fitted for a beautiful new suit at the best tailor in town.
When it is ready, he comes to try it on, and is unhappy with the finished product.

“You aren’t that great at your job, after all,” he says to the tailor. “Everyone told me to come specifically here, but after all the measurements you made me stand for, you can’t make a suit that properly fits. What a waste of money and time!”

“You really aren’t used to getting new clothes, are you,” responded the amused craftsman. “I know what I am doing. Your suit is perfectly made, and it fits perfectly. However, you didn’t remove your old and bulky clothing before you put it on. Of course it is uncomfortable and tight!”

Before Rosh Hashanah, every Jew must first shed his “old outfit.” It is torn, soiled, and just takes up space. Without taking it off, the beautiful new suit waiting for you will make for a ridiculously odd look.

It won’t fit!

My rebbi, the Novominsker Rebbe, used to liken this idea to a diamond placed in a setting filled with particles of dirt. As beautiful as the diamond is, it won’t fit into its setting.

If you don’t properly clean out the crevices of your neshamah with teshuvah, the diamonds you insert with your Torah, tefillah, and avodas Hashem will never settle correctly in place.

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With tefillah playing such a central role during the days of Selichos and the entire Yomim Noraim, prayer is something that should be analyzed carefully during this time of year.

For a believing Jew, the point of tefillah raises a foundational question. If we are supposed to have something, if we have earned it, Hashem gives it to us. That is unquestionable!

If we aren’t, will our prayer change Hashem’s mind? He knows what is coming to us better than we ever will. If we deserved what we are asking for, would we not have already received it?

What exactly are we doing when we stand before Him and beseech? What is its purpose?

This fundamental question has been raised by countless commentators. The answer of the Sefer HaIkkarim is foundational as to how every Jew must approach tefillah. Davening, he says, does not change Hashem’s mind. Of course not. It changes us!

There is a submission inherent in prayer. When one prays properly, he grows in his understanding of servitude to Hashem. A renewed awareness that he lives completely under His benevolent control makes him an entirely different kind of person.

Earnest prayer is guaranteed to produce a changed man. Before we davened, we were indeed undeserving. But now we have davened and now we have changed! The situation is different because we are different!

With the very act of prayer, the Jew reaches new levels and earns merits previously beyond his reach.