This Shabbat bears a special name "Shabbat Shuva."  While it does sound like "Shabbat Teshuva," (which would fit in quite well with the motif of the Aseret Yemei Teshuva), the name is actually derived from the opening words of the Haftorah which tell us "Shuva Yisrael..."  The Jewish people are beckoned to "Return" to Hashem as it were, and get back on the correct path of spiritual living.  This is in fact at the very core of repentance.  We have to return to where we belong.

Whenever a Bris takes place, there is a Shabbat celebration known as a Shalom Zachar. One of the reasons given for this custom is that before a baby can enter into the covenant of a Bris Milah, he has to first greet the Shabbat Queen, and there is always a Shabbat during the eight day period from birth until Bris. 

 I have always felt a similar feeling when it comes to Yom Kippur.  We cannot possibly stand before Hashem, our King, without first greeting the Shabbat Queen. Often, like this year, there is only one Shabbat before Yom Kippur - the first Shabbat of the year.  (Sometimes Rosh Hashanah can fall on Shabbat thereby giving us two before Yom Kippur).

If we view this Shabbat as a most special first Shabbat of the year, I think we should make every effort to make this a most festive and meaningful Shabbat, so we can show our Maker that our heartfelt prayers on Rosh Hashanah were genuine and impactful.  If we thought of doing something to add to the Ruach of Shabbat, this is the week to begin!  Let us all enter Yom Kippur knowing that we treated the Queen, the first Shabbat of the year, with the utmost dignity and respect.

Shabbat Shalom and Gemar Chatimah Tovah