Ten Days of Repentance: Daily Psalms and Beating Procrastination

One of the hardest challenges facing a believing Jew who strives to grow spiritually and improve himself throughout the year , and especially during the high holidays , is the sharp transition from the spiritual peak of Rosh Hashanah back to the ordinary weekdays of the Ten Days of Repentance leading up to Yom Kippur eve, followed by the preparation days for Sukkot, "Chol Ha'Moed", "Hoshana Rabbah", Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.

Because of this challenge, it's recommended to dedicate the regular days of repentance to small fixes and heartfelt commitments for spiritual strengthening and improvement, while simultaneously upgrading meaningful aspects of daily life.

Every year after the two days of Rosh Hashanah comes Tzom Gedaliah. Beyond being a drastic, rapid shift from two days of rich, elaborate holiday meals following long, focused prayer in synagogue, it's also a quick and jarring transition from school and work vacation back to the routine of productivity , with some workers doing so without food or drink and with philosophical thoughts lingering after the holiday that just ended.

A Song for the Day

The recommended spiritual practice for the first day of the Ten Days of Repentance ,which this year falls on Monday, is to read all the chapters of Psalms designated for this day, as they're divided in printed editions or in apps.

The beautiful custom of completing the entire Book of Psalms over the two days of Rosh Hashanah and throughout Yom Kippur is well known. Reciting the chapters of Psalms that belong to a particular day of the week from morning until before sunset gives the day an easy-to-implement spiritual framework that recalls the special period we're in now: one week given as a gift to repair the entire year.

Commitment to handle problems as they arise (Source: pexels.com)

Do Not Delay

The practical commitment recommended for the first day of the Ten Days of Repentance, because this year it falls on Monday, is to make a point of dealing with household and bureaucratic problems immediately when they arise, rather than postponing essential handling until the end of the week or some vague future date called "after the holidays".

In a regular jewish week that begins on Sunday, most people have fresh energy and willingness to act. By contrast, on a Monday after a holiday there's a feeling of fatigue and satiation and a desire to extend a bit longer the Jewish magic that stops the crazy race of life for a day or two. Therefore, it's worthwhile and recommended for anyone who wants to fix things here and now to start today and not postpone until tomorrow what will easily find itself pushed off to the day after.

For our Sages already taught us,

"If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And when I am for myself alone, what am I? And if not now, when?"