What prompted a perfect and omnipotent G-d to create the world? What void or lacking was He trying to fill?

Jewish Mysticism uses the metaphor of marriage to explain the Divine desire to create the world. Marriage needs the existence of another, distinct from yourself, with whom to share your life. G-d is One, but not wishing to stay single, he chose us as His bride.

What a marriage this has been! Over time, it has been a roller coaster of intense romance, love and affection, fights, quarrels and estrangement. Some counselors advocated divorce, while others proclaimed the Groom to be absent or dead. Yet, the relationship endured through thick and thin because both partners intrinsically know that they belong together.

According to the Kabbalah, our High Holiday experiences reflect the cosmic matrimony between us and G-d. The five key spiritual High Holiday moments parallel the phases of a conventional courtship and union. The holidays

help us enhance and rejuvenate this special relationship.

The Hebrew month of Elul precedes and introduces the High Holidays. ELUL forms an acrostic that spells out the verse:"I am to my beloved and my beloved is to me." (Song of Songs)

Chassidic masters describe this unique month as the time when "the King leaves the confines of his palace, and goes out into the field to meet freely with His people, greeting them with kindness and tenderness, and a joyous face to all." We, in response, open our hearts to G-d. This special time introduces us to know G-d, and learn to love Him.

Four weeks later, on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, He makes His proposal.

The world goes haywire at this time, says Master Kabbalist Rabbi Isaac Luria. "On Rosh Hashanah night the Divine consciousness and energy that gave life to the universe in the past wanes and becomes frail and weak." The great mystics actually felt tired on the first night of Rosh Hashanah.

All now hangs in balance awaiting our decision. If we refuse Him at this point, then all was in vain.

On Rosh Hashanah morning, a sound of exclamation rises from the Earth to the Heavens. The Shofar expresses our yearning to connect with the Divine.

We have made the decision. Our answer is yes. We will be His people.

The wedding day arrives: Kabbalah describes Yom Kippur as "the time of unity and oneness" when the cosmic bride and groom forge an eternal bond.

In Jewish tradition, bride and groom fast on their wedding day. On the day we unite with G-d, we abstain from food or drink as well.

The Talmud teaches that upon marriage, the sins of the groom and bride are forgiven. Similarly, Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement.

The marriage ceremony begins with the stirring Kol Nidre melody, when we revoke the power of alien vows and addictions that tie us down. During these deep and profound moments, we free ourselves from compulsive behavior and negative habits and let go of resentment, animosity, anger, fear and envy. The Jewish marriage ceremony culminates with the bride and groom entering a secluded room (cheder yichud) to be alone together. Yom Kippur reaches its climax with the culmination of Ne'ilah, or closure prayer. As the sun sets, the Heavenly gates close, with us inside.

During Ne'ilah, every soul is alone with G-d.

Once the bride and groom leave their private room, the party begins. From Yom Kippur we leap into the seven-day festival of Sukkot "time of our Joy."

These days of feasting and ecstatic happiness celebrate the union of G-d with His people.

The wedding feast and 'Sheva brachot' are now over, and the guests and relatives have returned home. Consummating the relationship, bride and groom experience intimacy, their lives meld together as husband and wife.

Following the seven days of Sukkot, we arrive at the zenith of the High Holiday season: The Kabbalah describes Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, as "intimacy with the Divine," when our joy reaches its peak, as G-d and His people merge into one seamless whole.

A Divine seed is planted in our hearts. We recite special prayers for rain on Shemini Atzeret. Life giving drops from Heaven are absorbed, fertilized and nurtured by mother earth, which in time flourishes and gives birth to its botanical children.

The honeymoon finally comes to an end, and the excitement begins to fade. Now the marriage must deal with the nitty-gritty. Our abstract love descends from the lofty heights into practical daily life. We care for each other, demonstrating trust and loyalty as we work through the daily grind.

The Hebrew month of Cheshvan following the High Holidays is the only Jewish month lacking a single festive day. This is when we prove our lofty love by dealing with everyday life sitations. We learn to maintain a continuous relationship with G-d, not only in the exceptional wedding day bliss, but also on the blue Mondays and all other week days.

Courtesy of Farbrengen.com