Jews worldwide tonight begin the ten-day period of the Days of Awe, starting with Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year) and culminating with Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). This is the time, according to tradition, when not only all Jews, but all people, are judged by God and their fates sealed for the year.
But how does God judge? An ancient rabbinic story says that when Moses went up Mt. Sinai for 40 days to receive the Torah, God took him to Heaven and showed him a storehouse containing a vast treasure of jewels and precious metals.
“This is the storehouse from which I reward the scholars who study my Torah,” said God.
He then showed Moses an even larger treasury, this one containing an even larger amount of fabulous jewels, gold, and silver.
“This is the storehouse from which I reward those who support the scholars who study my Torah,” God said.
Finally, God showed Moses a storehouse far larger than the other two combined. Moses was nearly blinded by the treasures it held.
“And what is the purpose of this storehouse?” Moses asked.
“This,” answered God, “is the storehouse from which I reward those who have no merit of their own. These people I reward based on my quality of mercy.”
Tradition holds that because we are created in the image of God, we have an obligation to act with God-like qualities. Emulating God’s mercy when we judge—if we have to judge at all—seems to be a good way to start. And the start of the year seems a good time to begin.