Rosh HaShanah is the day of Adam and Eve’s creation, as well as the day they appeared before the Heavenly Court and were judged for their actions. Similarly, every year on Rosh HaShanah, all people are judged by the celestial court based on their own actions as witnesses.
This is seen, for example, in the story of Job. We read, “Now there was a day when the sons of Elokim came to present themselves before G-d Hashem, and the Adversary also came among them.” (Job 1:6) “Now there was a day,” says the author of the book of Job. According to Rabbi Elazar, “a day” here refers to Rosh Hashanah, the day when G-d rises to judge the world.
Elokim’s sons might allude to angels who roam the world watching what humans do. However, angels can also be interpreted as our words, deeds, and ideas.
Good deeds create angels who advocate for us in heaven. Bad actions create angels that prosecute us in heaven. The Baal Shem Tov went this a step further, teaching that not only our actions, but also the words we speak, create angels.
Our thoughts, words, and actions bear witness for or against us. If we spend our life in accordance with our seven Noahides Mitzvot, it will be for our benefit; if we do not observe or neglect them – and do not regret it – it will be for our detriment.
Aside from the angels, one other angel is particularly named in Job. The adversary. We might think of this as all the words – ideas – we used in the last year to pass judgment on others or to not give them the benefit of the doubt. This witness is the most crucial in the celestial court. For: You will be measured by the measure with which you measure. Middah k’negged middah.
So it is critical to pass favorable judgment on others! Please pardon them if they ask!
The reward for practicing Mitzvot is so high that [with the exception of non-pious Noahides or unbelievers], it is given not in this world but in the World to Come. The time and chances to accomplish more Mitzvot are the rewards that people receive in this life.
May our names only be inscribed in the Book of Life to perform more Mitzvot in the next year.
By Angelique Sijbolts
Sources:Chabad Article: Self-Trial, Daily Zohar – Nitzavim Day 1, Chabad Article: All About Angels, Middah k’negged middah, AskNoah Article: Sons of G-d” angels (Job 1:6) and Rosh HaShanah
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