HaRav Lando saying the Yomim Noraim shmuess at Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem
In the guidance message which was transmitted to HaRav Chizkiyahu Mishkovsky, Mashgiach of Yeshivas Orchos Torah, HaRav Lando said:
The exerted objective of the Yomim Noraim is to concentrate on the prayers themselves. In my youth, I lived in the era of the two outstanding leaders of the generation, the Chazon Ish and the Brisker Rov. What message did they convey?
That during the Yomim Noraim, one must pray, study and be solemn and not engage in mundane things. One must act decently towards one's fellow man and actually crown him. It is not an easy feat in life to make others feel good.
We saw this practiced by the Chazon Ish — who strove to create a positive ambience, and this is what we must practice throughout the year, especially so during the Yomim Noraim.
He added to the ladder of spiritual ascent during this period:
I heard the following from HaRav Jungreis, Ravad of the Eida HaChareidis. He visited the Chazon Ish who uttered an enigmatic statement: `Sometimes we sin and sometimes we repent... Our primary task is to carry out all of the laws written in the Mishnah Berurah, all of those laws properly, as well as the teachings of the Choshen Mishpat. This is a difficult task.'
"Regarding remorse," HaRav Lando added, "one should regret to the utmost of one's capacity but not to wallow in depression, even if one stumbles. One does teshuva, one tries one's best to repent. They tell of the Gra's very lofty practices during the Yomim Noraim. This purifies, but we cannot be expected to act at his level. As for us, we have "Sha'arei Teshuva', a very exalted work. Whoever studies this volume becomes a changed person. It arouses one greatly and speaks personally to each and every one of us."
