The palpable energy at Sinai Temple on Rosh Hashana was contagious. Each service was filled to capacity, young and old coming together in prayer, song, and community. The need was real. We will do so once again on Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur this coming Wednesday evening, but at this moment, we are “in between.”

Are we looking backward or are we looking forward?

The Rabbis made sure that on every Jewish festival, we recited the Hallel, Psalms of Praise. However, on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, we refrain from doing so. Why would this be the case on the holiest days of the year?

The Talmud teaches that it is inconceivable, at a time when the books of life and death are open, and God sits on the throne of strict justice, that Israel should sing such praises.

Yet, there is another reason. The other festivals are “backward looking.” On Passover, we remember the Exodus. On Shavuot, we remember revelation at Mount Sinai. On Sukkot, we remember our journey through the wilderness.

But on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur? We are “forward looking.” How will we transform our soul for tomorrow? Maimonides calls the high holy days simcha yeteirah, “extraordinary celebrations.” We are in between—we look back and remember but we look forward with hope, with dreams, and ultimately, with each other for a purposeful year ahead. Gmar chatimah tova