Weekly Dvar Torah: A Homecoming Shabbos – Returning with Joy

Every person feels a deep, almost instinctive love for their parents. They gave us life, nurtured us, sustained us, and carried us to the point where we could stand on our own two feet. That love is bound up with awe and gratitude, because parents give everything for their child’s best. And from that awe-inspired love comes the desire to be close to our roots, to return home, so we can keep growing and flourishing.

That is what this Shabbos—Shabbos Shuva, the Shabbos of Return, the Shabbos before Yom Kippur—is all about.

Hashem created us. He gave us life. He sustains us at every moment, though in the busyness of daily routine it’s easy to forget. We take life for granted as if it is simply “there,” running on its own. But in truth, G-d gives and gives out of pure love. He created us because He wanted to share Himself, to express His kindness and love. He wanted our company.

And yet, we forget. The grind of survival, the distractions of comfort and entertainment, pull us away from conscious connection to our Source. Shabbos Shuva comes to wake us up, to remind us where we come from, and to call us home.

Come to think of it, G-d created the world ex nihilo—something from nothing. But here lies the riddle: what is this “nothing” that creation emerges from? How can something come from nothing?

The Rambam once illustrated this to the king of Spain. While they were discussing creation, the king stepped out briefly. The Rambam quickly dipped a feather into ink and drew a beautiful picture. When the king returned, he was struck by its beauty and asked who made it. The Rambam replied, “No one. The ink just spilled and this picture appeared.” The king scoffed: “Impossible! Such beauty must have come from an artist.” The Rambam smiled: “If this small picture must have a painter, how can a magnificent universe exist without a Creator?”

We, finite mortals, are too easily fooled by habit. The universe feels self-sustaining, and we forget its Source. But when the Day of Judgment comes, when Hashem decides whether to renew creation, we pause. We ask ourselves: Do we recognize Who is behind existence? Do we see that the true something is not the creation itself but the Creator from Whom it all flows?

That is the call of this season: Shuva Yisrael ad Hashem Elokecha—Return, Israel, to Hashem your G-d. Recognize your Source. Draw close to Him, so that your life flows from the ultimate wellspring of love and vitality. With this recognition, we awaken Hashem’s mercy, so He forgives our failings and grants us renewed life, infused with fresh strength and purpose for the year ahead.

And we resolve to do our part—to accept Hashem’s love and reflect it back by shaping His world into a picture of harmony and holiness, a world worthy of His blessings.

Fearsome or Joyful?

The High Holidays are called Yamim Nora’im—Days of Awe, often translated as “fearsome days.” And indeed, they are days of judgment. The fate of the world hangs in the balance.

But let us look deeper. There’s an old story: Moshe met Yankel during the High Holidays and noticed his friend trembling in fear. “Why so nervous?” Moshe asked. Yankel replied, “How can I not tremble when tomorrow I stand before a fearsome Judge? I haven’t done so well this past year.”

“But you, Moshe,” Yankel continued, “you look calm. How can you be so relaxed?”

Moshe smiled: “Because that Judge is my Father.”

This is the shift of perspective we need. Yes, these are days of judgment. But Torah tells us to celebrate them with festive meals, sweet delicacies, and our finest clothes. Why? Because we are confident of victory. The Judge is not a stranger—He is our loving Father.

Teshuva itself should fill us with joy. To cast away our sins is liberation. To know that Hashem gives us a chance to begin again is reason enough to dance.

And during these ten days, Hashem is closer than ever. What usually requires a community, now a single Jew can achieve alone. Imagine—our Father bending close, embracing us, reassuring us. These are not fearsome days but days of intimate closeness, filled with Hashem’s caress.

This Shabbos, when we read the haunting words of the prophet: Shuva Yisrael ad Hashem Elokecha—Return, Israel, to Hashem your G-d. It is the eternal call home. And as we hear it, the gates of return swing wide open. Hashem welcomes us not with cold judgment, but with the warmth of a Father who longs for His children.

And then comes Yom Kippur, the Day of Forgiveness. Already before the day begins, we are told: this is the day on which you will be cleansed. What greater joy can there be?

We conclude Yom Kippur not in defeat but in triumph. The final Ne’ilah prayer is a march of victory, sealed in the Book of Life. We step into the year with renewed life, and where there is life, there is joy. Joy is the truest symbol of life.

So this Shabbos is not only about awe. It is about homecoming. It is about remembering our Source, rediscovering our true selves, and rejoicing in Hashem’s boundless love. These days may be called fearsome, but in truth they are radiant with joy—the joy of a child returning home to a loving Father.

May this Shabbos Shuva be for us a true homecoming, may Yom Kippur cleanse us at our core, and may we all be inscribed and sealed for a sweet, joyous, and blessed year.

Have a Safe and Happy Homecoming of a Shabbos,
Gut Shabbos

Rabbi Yosef Katzman