When you can't leap to the Heavens, trudge forward on earth
Heading into the plains of Cheshvan and Kislev, we leave behind two peaks — the Yamim Noraim and Succos. Both were periods of judgment, as the Gemara and Zohar teach. But the flatlands of Cheshvan and Kislev also bring us to a day of judgment — for those who still need more time, the Baal Shem Tov explains, Zos Chanukah is the final gemar hachasimah.
Mature people are moved to teshuvah through the fear of the Yamim Noraim. Smaller people, who freeze under pressure, come closer to Hashem through the joy of Succos. But for those who are spiritually numb and experience neither the awe nor the joy, there is Zos Chanukah.
You couldn’t leap to heaven, but you can plod day by day. You can make concrete changes in your daily routine to show Hashem that you do want to grow, despite the fact that you aren’t as inspired as you want to be.
And thereby we can all merit a good year.
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