Chazal explain there are two conflicting emotions of Rosh HaShana. On the one hand, we are being judged for whole next year, a thought that is quite terrifying. On the other hand, we are Hashem's Children, his People - we are supposed to be confident that He will recognize our attempts at Teshuva, our acceptance of Him as our King. These are conflicting feelings, no doubt, and they are emulated by the two aspects of the day - we daven until after midday, but then we go home and eat a festive meal.
These two aspects illustrate the theme of Rosh HaShana. Most people feel that Rosh HaShana is all about Teshuva. Yet there is very little mention of Teshuva in the tefillos of Rosh HaShana. Rather, the focus is on Malchus - accepting Hashem as our King, as the One who rules us, as the One who dictates our thoughts and our lives. You don't repeat your tefillos if you leave out "Teshuva, Tefillah, & Tzedakah." You do repeat, however, if you miss "HaMelech HaKadosh." We are accepting Hashem as our Ruler, and we are accepting His Torah as our way of life.
And this is what creates two different emotions. On the one hand, Hashem is All-Powerful, a King who will literally decide every aspect of our lives for the upcoming year. On the other hand, He is our King. We are the ones who are able to daven to Him on Rosh HaShana, only Bnei Yisrael are able to pray with the power that we have. I recently picked up an Israeli on a tremp, and he pointed out that Hashem first answers the tefillos of Bnei Yisrael and determines their lot, and only then does He dish out judgment for the rest of the nations, based on what Bnei Yisrael warrant. This is our zechus, this is our priviledge.
Wishing you a k'siva v'chasima Tova!!!
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