The 10th Day of Tishrei. That’s tonight’s (and tomorrow’s) Hebrew Date, which means it will be Yom Kipur. (The Tora [the bible] says – it was evening, it was morning; one day. All days start when the sun goes down.) This day marks the end of 40 days of introspection, repentance, and preparing ourselves to be better humans and to make the world a better place- with renewed vigor.
Yom Kipur also means that we neither eat nor drink for some 25 hours. This abstinence begins before sundown tonight (we need to be in the synagogue to hear the all important prayer- Kol Nidrei- which starts at the moment of the holiday) until 45 minutes after sunset tomorrow.
Yom Kipur is also the 10th day of the 10 days of T’shuva. Too often in English, this period is translated as the 10 Days of Repentance. Of course, that is one potential translation of the phrase.
But a more appropriate choice would be to define that as a return. A return to our intimate conversations and relationship with Hashem, the Supreme Being. That return makes it possible for us to truly the see the good in everyone (yes, sometimes that is very hard); after all, we are all children of Hashem. It makes it possible for us to try that little bit harder to make this world a better place.
Just imagine Yona’s (Jonah) situation on Yom Kipur. Ordered to travel to Nineveh (the largest city in the world at the time), whom Yona knew would subjugate the Kingdom of Israel and take them captive, to warn them that if the didn’t change their ways, Hashem would obliterate them.. He attempted to run away (yeah, like we can run away from Hashem), but eventually showed up and prophesied as commanded by Hashem. And, Niniveh repented- just like we should do by the time Yom Kipur arrive.. (But Niniveh did not stay on the straight and narrow for long- they did sack the Kingdom of Israel and took the people captive).nn The lesson for us is we never know- nor completely understand Hashem’s plan, but we must complete it.
(Yom Kipur is also known as the “Day of Atonement”, which if you pay attention to the syllables you realize it is actually the “Day of At One Ment”.. To be at one with ourselves, with our family, with our friends, and with Hashem.)
No matter what your religion, may you find that return, that intimate conversation and relationship with the Supreme Being.
Given the state of the world today, we all could use that counsel and see our way to making the state of the world better for all of us.
G’mar Chatima Tova… May you be sealed in the book of health, happiness, and prosperity.
For Additional Information,you may find this piece by Elyse Ash worth your read.
There will be no post tomorrow (Monday) due to the holiday. I will be in shul all day.
