Ten Guiding Lights for Those Who Fear and Love Hashem: A Path to Tikkun Before Rosh Hashanah

In the words of our Sages, the world stands upon the pillars of Torah, service of God, and acts of kindness. As we approach Rosh Hashanah, the day upon which every creature passes before the King of Kings, it is incumbent upon those who fear and love Hashem—whether scattered among the nations or dwelling within the heart of the Jewish people—to prepare themselves not only spiritually but morally, emotionally, and communally. The recent tragedies of October 7th, coinciding with the desecration of the joy of Torah on Simchat Torah, and the sudden murder of our friend and fellow g-d fearing freind Charlie Kirk, remind us that the challenges of our generation demand renewed diligence in our service of Hashem and in our relationships with one another.

Here are ten guiding lights for those who seek to elevate themselves, mend their communities, and embrace Rosh Hashanah with purity and clarity:

1. Fear and Awe of Hashem as a Living Force

True service begins with the awareness of Hashem’s presence in all aspects of life.

The Shema teaches us to love Hashem with all our heart, soul, and might, but it is the fear of Hashem that directs our actions, ensuring that our love does not drift into complacency.

This fear is not terror; it is a holy reverence that guides ethical and moral behavior, reminding us that every choice resonates in heaven and on earth.

2. Love Your Fellow as Yourself: Healing Divisions

The Torah commands, “ואהבת לרעך כמוך”—love your fellow as yourself.

In the wake of societal and communal tragedies, this commandment becomes a lifeline.

Whether we witness division in Israel, in the global Jewish community, or within our own hearts, true fear and love of Hashem manifest as care, empathy, and reconciliation.

Every act of kindness, hospitality and understanding strengthens the fabric of our people and serves as a countermeasure to hatred and division.

3. Strengthened Shabbat Observance

Shabbat is the crown of creation, a weekly testimony to Hashem’s sovereignty.

Charlie Kirk’s remarks remind us that public discussion and observance of Shabbat carry weight, as its violation contributes to spiritual and moral erosion.

Strengthening Shabbat observance—lighting candles, abstaining from work, studying Torah, gathering family—becomes not just a ritual, but a protective shield and a source of communal and personal tikkun.

4. Torah Study with Depth and Passion

Rosh Hashanah demands reflection and growth.

Torah study is the root of spiritual vitality, enabling us to internalize divine wisdom and align our actions with Hashem’s will.

Delving into the weekly parashah, Talmudic discourse, or Hasidic insights allows us to connect intellectually and emotionally with God, transforming learning into a tool of both enlightenment and repair.

5. Teshuvah: Turning Back in Realignment

Every person, without exception, carries the burden of past missteps.

Teshuvah—repentance—is a conscious return to God through confession, regret, and commitment to change.

In light of national and communal tragedies, teshuvah is not only personal; it is communal, a call for leaders, educators, and families to examine collective responsibility and redirect society toward holiness.

6. Acts of Chesed: Practical Love in Action

Loving our fellow manifests most powerfully through deeds, not just words.

Feeding the hungry, comforting the sorrowful, visiting the sick, and aiding the oppressed are all essential forms of Tikkun Olam.

In these acts, we repair not only individual pain but also the fractures in the spiritual structure of our people, countering the effects of violence and neglect.

7. Guarding Speech: Lashon Hara and Elevation of Words

The tragedies we face are fueled in part by destructive speech.

Gossip, slander, and divisive rhetoric weaken communities and obscure divine truth.

Those who fear Hashem must guard their words, ensuring that speech uplifts, inspires, and heals.

This includes public discourse, social media, and private conversations—each an opportunity to sanctify Hashem’s name.

8. Embracing Humility and Gratitude

Pride and entitlement distort our perception of reality and hinder repentance.

Humility allows us to recognize Hashem’s hand in every success and every challenge.

Gratitude, even for trials, fosters resilience and deepens our relationship with Hashem.

The Talmud teaches that gratitude transforms suffering into merit, and humility opens doors to communal unity.

9. Prayer and Personal Connection with G-d

Prayer is the bridge between fear and love, acknowledgment and intimacy.

Beyond rote recitation, heartfelt prayer—praising, petitioning, and thanking—cultivates spiritual clarity.

In times of communal distress, intercessory prayer for our nation, the Jewish people, and the righteous among the nations strengthens divine protection and invites blessing.

Try and hear the shofar daily until Rosh Hashanah, and try to hear it on Rosh Hashanah itself.

10. Commitment to Action: Being the Change

Ultimately, preparation for Rosh Hashanah and the tikkun for recent tragedies demand action.

We must take the lessons of the past, the clarity of Torah, and the wisdom of our sages and translate them into tangible steps: repairing our own character, uplifting our families, supporting righteous leadership, and strengthening communal observance.

Action turns intention into reality, aligning our hearts with the King of Kings.

Teshuvah Tefilah and Tsedaka take away the evil of the Decree.

As we approach Rosh Hashanah, we stand at the threshold of judgment and mercy.

The events of October 7th and the sudden unjust murder of Charlie Kirk we encountered - challenge us to strengthen our spiritual roots and moral courage.

Those who fear and love Hashem are called not merely to witness but to act: to elevate Torah learning, unite fractured communities, deepen Shabbat observance, and transform love for one’s fellow into practical, tangible deeds.

May this Rosh Hashanah be a time of awakening, a time when each heart humbles itself before the Almighty, turning fear into reverent love, division into unity, and tragedy into opportunity for divine service.

Let every individual, every family, and every community rise in the light of Torah and mitzvot, prepared to greet the New Year with purity, courage, and steadfast faith.

In this sacred preparation, may the coming year be a year of healing, clarity, unity, and spiritual renewal for all who serve Hashem with fear and love.

May Hashem shine a light of mercy upon his children, a light of victory to the jewish people in the holy land of Israel, a light of freedom to the Israeli hostages in Gaza to find their way home, a light of wisdom to those seeking truth within Torah, a light of Torah wisdom and justice to all leadership in the world and a light of Moshiach to our generation.

May the memory of tragedies propel us toward goodness, and may our actions inspire blessing, for ourselves, our people, and the world.

With much blessings,

Rabbi Yosef Edery

Golan Heights Israel

Sanhedrin Initiative Advisor