both pleasant anticipation of the New Year and anxiety for the future. In the words of an old folk-saying, “Even the fish in the sea tremble at the approach of the Days of Awe.” Within the cycle of the Jewish year these days hold a peculiarly spiritual place, for they alone of Jewish holy days are devoid of agricultural or historical significance.1 Paradoxically, these most “Jewish” of all days are, at the same time, the most universal. They touch on spiritual values that concern us as humans.