A Time For Reflection
Peppered throughout my regular posts will be my own personal thoughts and reflections as I prepare myself for the Days of Awe next week, beginning with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. At the moment, we are in the period of silichot. Selichot are a series of penitential prayers recited in preparation for Judaism's High Holidays, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. God's "Thirteen Attributes of Mercy" are a central theme throughout the prayers. These attributes derive from God's explanation to Moses, following the sin of the Golden Calf, of His system for relating with the world.Merciful God, merciful God, powerful God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in kindness and truth. Preserver of kindness for thousands of generations, forgiver of iniquity, willful sin and error, and who cleanses. We look at these elements in the process as the examination of ourselves, our relationship with others and with God is explored.
As I embark upon this solemn journey, there are some questions that I am asking myself. Where have I been selfish, dishonest, petty or unreasonable with self and with others? Am I being rigorously honest? Do I seek forgiveness with the intention of not doing something again, or is my request meaningless, knowing that I do not intend to follow through? Have I been honest and diligent with my loved ones, husband, children, family and friends? Have I lied and thought I was being honest? Are my words self-serving, said only to get what I desire out of a situation, or do I truthfully take the needs of others into consideration? Am I into self-delusion, thinking that I am so right about something, when ultimately I am so wrong? Am I sincere in t'shuvah (repentance), putting myself and needs aside and sincere in seeking forgiveness from others? From God? Am I able to see my part in my actions, or must I always turn something around, blaming someone else and not see where I have been wrong?
Are my prayers half-hearted, or empty, or rote, offered up without love or respect towards God? Are the prayers devoid of true feeling and emotion? Do I pray to honor God, or is it more about what I can get out if it for myself? Do I truly appreciate and am I grateful for all of God's blessings, or do I take them for granted, failing to be thankful for what has been so freely given to me each and every day? Have I made promises to God and broken them, because I was too absorbed in myself, failing to honor Him and others in the process? When I hear the sound of the shofar, will it awaken in me a desire towards t'shuvah (repentance), tzedakah (charity) and tefillah (prayers) and will my promises be sincere or empty? Will I be able to love others who do not think like me, act like me, or do as I desire them to do? Can I truly tolerate and respect differences in others?
During these days of reflection, these are some of the questions I am asking myself, before the beginning of Rosh Hashanah next Monday night at sundown. This process takes honestly, and strength, and courage to admit wrongdoing, and to be able to make firm, lasting commitments for the year to come.
May I be given the tools and strength to be honest and forthcoming in these days to come.
Thank you for your minds.
As I embark upon this solemn journey, there are some questions that I am asking myself. Where have I been selfish, dishonest, petty or unreasonable with self and with others? Am I being rigorously honest? Do I seek forgiveness with the intention of not doing something again, or is my request meaningless, knowing that I do not intend to follow through? Have I been honest and diligent with my loved ones, husband, children, family and friends? Have I lied and thought I was being honest? Are my words self-serving, said only to get what I desire out of a situation, or do I truthfully take the needs of others into consideration? Am I into self-delusion, thinking that I am so right about something, when ultimately I am so wrong? Am I sincere in t'shuvah (repentance), putting myself and needs aside and sincere in seeking forgiveness from others? From God? Am I able to see my part in my actions, or must I always turn something around, blaming someone else and not see where I have been wrong?
Are my prayers half-hearted, or empty, or rote, offered up without love or respect towards God? Are the prayers devoid of true feeling and emotion? Do I pray to honor God, or is it more about what I can get out if it for myself? Do I truly appreciate and am I grateful for all of God's blessings, or do I take them for granted, failing to be thankful for what has been so freely given to me each and every day? Have I made promises to God and broken them, because I was too absorbed in myself, failing to honor Him and others in the process? When I hear the sound of the shofar, will it awaken in me a desire towards t'shuvah (repentance), tzedakah (charity) and tefillah (prayers) and will my promises be sincere or empty? Will I be able to love others who do not think like me, act like me, or do as I desire them to do? Can I truly tolerate and respect differences in others?
During these days of reflection, these are some of the questions I am asking myself, before the beginning of Rosh Hashanah next Monday night at sundown. This process takes honestly, and strength, and courage to admit wrongdoing, and to be able to make firm, lasting commitments for the year to come.
May I be given the tools and strength to be honest and forthcoming in these days to come.
Thank you for your minds.
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