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do teshuva. The time period prior to Rosh Hashanah is to focus on obtaining forgives, based on these extra special measures of compassion and tolerance
forgiveness from Hashem. Even while we are still in a state of guilt without which He provides!
having yet repaired our ways, we ask for a pardon. Before teshuva, before
repentance, we nevertheless come asking.
As we approach Rosh Hashana, we are all guilty of some misdeeds and are
responsible for our actions. All people slip up and make mistakes, and only
In the judicial system, one needs a good lawyer. However, there are some Hashem can forgive us.
crimes where the person is guilty, and no lawyer can help his client win an
acquittal. Only the “President” can grant a pardon or commute the sentence.
We all need to request a pardon from Hashem, to avoid punishment for our
wrongdoings. Hashem in His beneficence gives us the opportunity even before
Rabbi Shimshon Pincus says every time we daven and mention the G-d of Rosh Hashana to start asking for forgiveness and the granting of a pardon
Avraham, we entreat Avraham Avinu to bring our prayers before Hashem. The through the recitation of selichos.
same is true of imploring Yitzchak and Yaakov. This also applies to the different
parts of tefillah which correlate to each of the Avos). In Shemoneh Esrei, there
is the first bracha – which correlates to Avraham, the second, to Yitzchak, and Every word of selichos is a jewel. It›s an incredible opportunity. While we will
the third, to Yaakov. The same correlation applies to the three tefillos of the get up early and may be exhausted from the effort, Hashem’s granting of
day: Shacharis relates to Avraham, Mincha to Yitzchak and Maariv to Yaakov. forgiveness makes it all worthwhile!! This is our opportunity…let’s make sure
It is incredible that we have the Avos as our personal advocates. we utilize it to its full extent

But Tosfos tells us the merit of the Avos could be depleted and they might
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not have enough ability to advocate on our behalf. What happens then? The
Gemara tells us the merit of saying the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy, which are
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the core of selichos, is that they never go unanswered. These Thirteen Attributes
were taught to Moshe by Hashem after Klal Yisrael sinned with the golden
calf (comparing that egregious act to a bride committing adultery at her own
wedding!) Hashem wrapped Himself in a talis and told Moshe anytime the
Jews sin, they can say these Thirteen Attributes and He guarantees to respond
to them favorably. The power of these Thirteen Attributes is that Hashem
Himself will be praying on our behalf when we articulate this formula. Here,
it is Hashem who is the chazan on our behalf! And it is Hashem Himself who

4 Shabbos 55a
5 Rosh Hashanah 18

A Agudah Achas
Agudah Achasgudah Achas