Such was the sentence I encountered years ago in the sefer Bnei Yissaschar, on Chodesh Elul. It completely recast my understanding of these precious days and has since spawned countless shiurim and lines of thought. Just as the annual commemoration of Creation is preceded by yemei ratzon, so too the weekly reenactment of Creation is preceded by an interval defined by ratzon. The Bnei Yissaschar is uncovering a deeper pattern: ratzon itself belongs before beriah. It cannot be coincidence that the story of the second Luchos — and the birth of teshuvah after the Eigel — unfolded precisely during the season leading to Rosh Hashanah.