Things are quieter now on the Syrian front, but inside our souls there is turbulence. This evening begins the holiest day of our year, Yom Kippur.
We have spent the last ten days in prayer, giving to charity and repenting. That one always got me - repentance. What does it really mean? We were taught that truly feeling regret for our actions and resolving to change would gain us favor on this day, but can I really hope to change the most fundamental part of me at my, umm, advanced age? Can anyone?? Will I be more concerned with the salvation of my soul, or the satiating of my stomach during the course of this 25 hour fast day? Surely the fresh rolls, stuffed with cream cheese and smoked salmon and topped with fresh vegetables, will enter my mind long before the sun sets on Saturday. In the packed synagogue amidst the shouts and cries of those engulfed in heartfelt prayer, my imagination will conjure up the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. But surely enough, if only on this one day a year, I will inevitably be absorbed by the Shechina, the Holy Presence, that will be amongst us all on that day.
But perhaps the contrast of this day against every other is not as great here in Israel, as every step one takes here is felt as special and under the watchful eye of his Creator. The connection is so great, that it is felt by the religious and secular alike. Am Yisrael, the Jewish people, stand as one in this proud nation, but even more so on Yom Kippur.
The meteorologists are predicting a scorcher tomorrow. Thank G-d our walk to synagogue is a short one. On our small street alone, there are more than a handful of places to worship, as is the norm in Israel. Unlike the US, where space is unlimited and people live blocks or miles from one another, here our homes and souls touch, and we are better for it. When I left my large, luxurious home in America to become one of the returning exiles to the Holy Land, the physical pull from the comfortable lifestyle that I had become accustomed to was more than difficult. Living in such close proximity to others in my small town has brought its own blessing; even on less than cheerful occasions, I know that the familiar faces I pass on the street are sharing my solemnity and feeling my awe. Now I am home.
For all those who observe Yom Kippur, I wish you an easy and meaningful fast. For those of you who don't, thank you for reading this and I wish you every blessing.
We have spent the last ten days in prayer, giving to charity and repenting. That one always got me - repentance. What does it really mean? We were taught that truly feeling regret for our actions and resolving to change would gain us favor on this day, but can I really hope to change the most fundamental part of me at my, umm, advanced age? Can anyone?? Will I be more concerned with the salvation of my soul, or the satiating of my stomach during the course of this 25 hour fast day? Surely the fresh rolls, stuffed with cream cheese and smoked salmon and topped with fresh vegetables, will enter my mind long before the sun sets on Saturday. In the packed synagogue amidst the shouts and cries of those engulfed in heartfelt prayer, my imagination will conjure up the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. But surely enough, if only on this one day a year, I will inevitably be absorbed by the Shechina, the Holy Presence, that will be amongst us all on that day.
But perhaps the contrast of this day against every other is not as great here in Israel, as every step one takes here is felt as special and under the watchful eye of his Creator. The connection is so great, that it is felt by the religious and secular alike. Am Yisrael, the Jewish people, stand as one in this proud nation, but even more so on Yom Kippur.
The meteorologists are predicting a scorcher tomorrow. Thank G-d our walk to synagogue is a short one. On our small street alone, there are more than a handful of places to worship, as is the norm in Israel. Unlike the US, where space is unlimited and people live blocks or miles from one another, here our homes and souls touch, and we are better for it. When I left my large, luxurious home in America to become one of the returning exiles to the Holy Land, the physical pull from the comfortable lifestyle that I had become accustomed to was more than difficult. Living in such close proximity to others in my small town has brought its own blessing; even on less than cheerful occasions, I know that the familiar faces I pass on the street are sharing my solemnity and feeling my awe. Now I am home.
For all those who observe Yom Kippur, I wish you an easy and meaningful fast. For those of you who don't, thank you for reading this and I wish you every blessing.
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