God’s Return Policy

"Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Return to me,' declares the LORD Almighty, 'and I will return to you.'" — Zechariah 1:3

This week marks the beginning of the High Holy Days — the most sacred time of the year for the Jewish people and among the most widely observed of all the holy days. I often wonder whether synagogues experience such high numbers because these days mark an opportunity for all Jews to wash their slate clean and begin life anew. And who, at one time or another, hasn’t truly desired an opportunity to do just that?

At the core of this opportunity to start anew is the concept of teshuvah, or repentance, literally “returning to one’s self.” The ten days between Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) is a time of deep soul-searching and introspection. Jews are encouraged to turn away from evil and return to God and to their own pure selves. True repentance, therefore, involves not only a “change of heart,” but also a “change in action” as well — a turning away from bad and a turning toward good.

While Jews and Christians differ greatly on man’s ability to “atone” — how to pay for those sins — we all agree on our need to repent. And we all rely on God’s graciousness and His mercy as we turn from our sinful ways and turn toward Him for forgiveness. Jews pray three times daily, “The LORD is near to all who call upon him … who call upon him in truth” (Psalm 145:18).

So, during this holiest time of the year, God seeks us out and confronts us, hoping that we will repent and cease sinning. Recall the biblical accounts of men such as Adam, Cain, and Jonah when they tried to flee or hide from God. God met them face-to-face, giving them no choice but to stand before Him and account for their actions — however reluctantly. This is a good thing, though, because we believe God responds a thousand fold to a man’s slightest inclination toward repentance.

And that is good news, indeed, for Jews and Christians alike.

So as we engage in this time of soul-searching, I encourage you to take time this week to participate in teshuvah and to return to God as He most graciously promises to return to you.

With prayers for shalom, peace,


Rabbi Eckstein