Hayom Yom 20 Tishrei - The Lulav and feeling contrite

בְּעֵת הַנַּעֲנוּעִים צָרִיךְ לְהַגִּיעַ עַד הֶחָזֶה מָקוֹם שֶׁמַּכִּים בַּאֲמִירַת אָשַׁמְנוּ [Between each of] the movements (naanuim), [the base of] the Four Species should be brought back to touch the chest, at the place one strikes during the confessional beginning Ashamnu. אָמַר אַאַמוּ"ר בְּאַחַת הַהִתְוַעֲדוּת My revered father, the Rebbe [Rashab], once said at a farbrengen שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹמַר שֶׁזֶּהוּ כְּמוֹ הָעִנְיָן שֶׁעַל יְדֵי הַכּוֹבֶד רֹאשׁ שֶׁקּוֹדֶם הַתְּפִלָּה that this practice reflects the concept that as a result of having experienced earnest submission before praying, שֶׁמִּתְמַרְמֵר בְּנַפְשׁוֹ and feeling contrite [on account of one’s sins], עַל יְדֵי זֶה דַוְקָא יָכוֹל לִהְיוֹת אַחַר כָּךְ הִתְפַּעֲלוּת הַמִּדּוֹת בַּתְּפִלָּה a person can then reach spiritual exuberance when he prays. Text and Translation courtesy of Sichos in English