Tears That Come From The Soul

The Arizal teaches that anyone who does not cry during the Ten Days of Teshuvah has a soul that is “not whole.” But how can this apply to every Jew—even a complete tzaddik who has no sins requiring teshuvah? The Rebbe explains that these tears go much deeper than regret over wrongdoing. During the Ten Days of Teshuvah, when Hashem is especially close, the neshamah becomes more sensitive to how far it is from its true Source. Even after reaching great heights in avodah, the soul can still feel itself within the limitations of a created existence. That very feeling becomes the cry of “Min hameitzar karasi Kah” — “From the straits I called to Hashem.” And through that cry comes “Anani bamerchav Kah” — Hashem answers from boundlessness: the soul breaks beyond its limitations and reveals its essential oneness with Hashem.