THE ART OF MEANING WHAT YOU SAY
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THE ART OF MEANING WHAT YOU SAY
The happiest moment of the year is the Shehechianu blessing during Kol Nidrei. That first moment of the Holy Day is so powerful, it’s worth living 70 years just to experience it. It’s as if, for that single moment, it’s worth coming back to this world even after passing on.
Most people think of Yom Kippur as a day of crying, shame, and promises to improve—but that’s focusing on us, not on the day itself. Yom Kippur is a day of cleansing, but even more so, it’s a time of closeness. Every word, letter, and even vowel on this day carries profound meaning.
Our Rabbis teach us the importance of precision, especially in how we say the words זכרנו לחיים – “Remember us for life.” The word לחיים is to be pronounced as Lechaim and not Lachaim. The difference between saying Lechaim (to life) and Lachaim (no life) might sound small, but it’s actually apart as the two extremes, of life and death! Literally! La Chaim in Aramaic means, no life, while Lechaim means “to life.” All of this boils down to one thing: the nekudot, the vowels. It’s about what you put under that first letter, the Lamed. Will it be a Kamatz, Patach, or Shva? Each choice leads to an entirely different outcome. To show how where you put the dots can make a difference in English, consider the difference between “Let’s eat, Grandma” to “Let’s eat Grandma”.
On Rosh Hashana, we are written in one of the three books, but we are all written לחיים. But here’s the twist: The tzaddik is written with a Shva, Lechaim, to life, and the Rasha is written Lachaim, with a Kamatz or a Patach, which means, no life. The Benoni, the Undecided, is left vowelless until Yom Kippur. On Yom Kippur, at the tipping of the scales of life, one way or the other, the vowels are put in, for good, or for vice versa.
Of course, this sheds light on the word L’Chaim, that we say, when before Kiddush. “Savri Maranan, Masters, listen up!” … “Lechaim!”, we rule that there should be life, there should be meaning, and significance, to whatever we are saying Lechaim to.
If only we got the vowels right, Lechaim, and not Lachayim.
So, as you enter Yom Kippur, remember that each word matters. Go into Yom Kippur ready to mean every word. Each letter in your prayers has a purpose, and so does each vowel. Rashi and Ramban disagree, about just one word, that can be the biggest deciding factor of your Yom Kippur. Rashi believes, that Yom Kippur will only atone, if you do Teshuva. Ramban argues, as he believes, that even if you just arrive at Yom Kippur, and don’t do Teshuva, the day itself can atone. And the whole disagreement is about just, one, word! אַךְ בֶּעָשׂוֹר לַחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי הַזֶּה יוֹם הַכִּפֻּרִים הוּא מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ יִהְיֶה לָכֶם וְעִנִּיתֶם אֶת נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם וְהִקְרַבְתֶּם אִשֶּׁה לַה However, on the tenth day of this seventh month is Yom Kippur, a holy calling for you; you shall afflict your souls and offer a fire offering to G-d.
What does the word אך mean, the word HOWEVER?
The whole debate hangs on one word: אך—“However.” Rashi interprets “Ach” in the Torah as a limiting term, implying “only” or “just.” Rashi, drawing from the Sages, suggests that Yom Kippur provides atonement solely for those who repent, not for those who do not. The word “Ach,” therefore, appears to confine the concept of atonement to those who engage in repentance. However, the Ramban questions Rashi’s interpretation. He provides examples of other instances in the Torah where “Ach” is used. He suggests that the word does not always serve to limit but can also emphasize or confirm the truth of a statement, ensuring the truth of the matter. Yom Kippur, itself, is inherently a day of atonement for the Jewish people, going beyond any sacrifices offered.
According to Ramban, we’re all forgiven, no strings attached! Rashi though, believes that Repentance is a prerequisite for Yom Kippur forgiveness, and that Yom Kippur forgiveness has terms and conditions that apply! We’re only forgiven if we really take Repentance seriously.
All because of just one word, the word אך!!
Let us be more mindful of how we say things, even during stressful moments. “I’m sorry, I love you.” Is very different than, “I’m sorry I love you.” Say what you mean, and mean what you say. Especially on Yom Kippur. As you pray, make sure to bring your heart with you. Bring your true self into your prayers, give it your attention, and your prayers will reach all, the, way, up.
(At least I did Teshuvah, and wrote a shorter article before Yom Kippur)
