The Meaning of Yom Kipper
As I have aged, I find that I love the meaning of Yom Kipper. It is a time and day of judgment, intropection and forgiveness. We look at ourselves honestly, as if we are naked, with all of our flaws, sins and shortcomings on display. How do we find meaning in such a daunting task, one may ask?
For the past several years, I have stayed in synagogue the entire night of Erev Yom Kipper and the next day, until yiskor services, which is a special time to honor and mourn those close relatives who have died. This year, since my father died, it will be the first time I stay all day, including participation in this deep and often difficult service.
For some people, Yom Kipper is a painful day. We refrain from work, food, sex,and other pleasureable activities. For myself, Yom Kipper has the opposite effect, since it allows me to take an honest look at myself through a process of self-examination and brings about the promise of change. It can be a transforming day, through prayer and introspection, where new beginnings and endings have the potentionl to be formed, depending upon our own level of honesty and awareness. It is a opportunity to examine one's own defects of character, let go of them and/or turn them around and emerge with a clean slate, or a fresh start. Change, although not ever easy, does not have to be painful, and we can grow and florish from it, through open-mindness and honesty, and a williness to think and behave differently if we choose. As we ask God to inscribe us in the Book of Life, we examine ourselves, through our deeds, our thoughts and our prayers.
One area in which I am trying to improve is in the realm of fear. Sometimes, I worry so much about my children, imagining the worse or all possible case senarios, that I work myself up into a frenzy. I know that if I turn within, trust that they are in good hands, that much of this fear will subside. So for today, I am not making the twenty phone calls, with the worse of all possible images in mind. It seems that if the action can be taken first, then the good thinking will eventually follow, at least this is my sincere hope and prayer.
To all those who observe this solemn day, may you have an easy fast and may your minds and hearts open up to tranformation.
G'mar Chatima Tova. May God forgive us, and accept our prayers.
Thank you for your minds.
For the past several years, I have stayed in synagogue the entire night of Erev Yom Kipper and the next day, until yiskor services, which is a special time to honor and mourn those close relatives who have died. This year, since my father died, it will be the first time I stay all day, including participation in this deep and often difficult service.
For some people, Yom Kipper is a painful day. We refrain from work, food, sex,and other pleasureable activities. For myself, Yom Kipper has the opposite effect, since it allows me to take an honest look at myself through a process of self-examination and brings about the promise of change. It can be a transforming day, through prayer and introspection, where new beginnings and endings have the potentionl to be formed, depending upon our own level of honesty and awareness. It is a opportunity to examine one's own defects of character, let go of them and/or turn them around and emerge with a clean slate, or a fresh start. Change, although not ever easy, does not have to be painful, and we can grow and florish from it, through open-mindness and honesty, and a williness to think and behave differently if we choose. As we ask God to inscribe us in the Book of Life, we examine ourselves, through our deeds, our thoughts and our prayers.
One area in which I am trying to improve is in the realm of fear. Sometimes, I worry so much about my children, imagining the worse or all possible case senarios, that I work myself up into a frenzy. I know that if I turn within, trust that they are in good hands, that much of this fear will subside. So for today, I am not making the twenty phone calls, with the worse of all possible images in mind. It seems that if the action can be taken first, then the good thinking will eventually follow, at least this is my sincere hope and prayer.
To all those who observe this solemn day, may you have an easy fast and may your minds and hearts open up to tranformation.
G'mar Chatima Tova. May God forgive us, and accept our prayers.
Thank you for your minds.
posted by BarbaraFromCalifornia at
12:50 PM
21 Comments:
I hope your day is filled with thoughts that open the doors in your soul.
I hope your journey today is tempered with positive reflection and closure.
Yom Kippur is a day for introspection and self examination, not for what we have lost, mistakes made and missed opportunities, but for planning for the future year, making the first step for the future.
Grab the opportunity when you can.
With this merit, may it give you the spiritual boost for the coming year to reach higher achievements.
Have a blessed day. And peaceful.
I wish we were allowed to write on Yom Kippur. I reflect best when I can write down my faults and sins and make lists of ways I can improve myself. Prayer is wonderful, but I need to write to help it.
I hope your Yom Kippur is very meaningful and that you are having a wonderful new year.
I hope you have a meaningful Yom Kipper, Barbara!
Wonderful explanation. Thanks for the insights into this day and your personal experiences that make it so meaningful.
Peace be with you on this holy day barbara. It happens that this holiday has chosen to fall on my birthday this year so my children have off from school and I am taking off from work so we can all enjoy my birthday together!
It sounds very much like the 4th step of a 12 step program, which is also recommended to be performed annually.
It does not have to be a spiritual act, but it is for many.
The simple act of acknowledging the flaws is huge. Knowing that there are improvements that can be made, and realizing these triats do not have to define you - is completely freeing.
I hope you have a beautiful and liberating experience.
Let it be known that you have done much good in the past year, I have learned so much in the short time I have 'known' you, and hope that will continue. May this day bless you with insight and the realization that you are doing much for the spiritual uplifting of others, whom you do not even 'know'. This act alone is selfless, even if you recieve much yourself from the activity. May you be blessed with peace, for you have given it to others. May your eyes behold the richness that is your faith renewed, because you show it without vanity or pride that would offend. You are very blessed my friend, and I hope that this day brings you much healing and a sacred special blessing that only the Divine could bestow, because you deserve it. You are one of the most calm and peaceful souls I have encountered. May you be blessed with much happiness in the coming year and solace for those departed from you and family. My most sincere wish for you is Peace and the bounty of Love.
And as far as kids go, I think as long as the lines of communication are open, so they feel they can talk to you about things, that's a huge asset where safety is concerned. Kids are usually pretty well attuned to people, and if something makes them a little uncomfortable and they're able to talk about it, then parents can exercise judgment.
Barbara, Thank you for your continuted support and emails. Enjoy this day of introspection as it polishes your soul to shine a bit brighter.
I wish you an easy fast and a meaningful Yom Kippur
Peace!
Nj from NJ
Thank you all for your kind thoughts and good wishes.
Have a wonderful holiday, hon.
Beautiful and insightful post Barbara.
I have discovered that fear has many faces, and no sooner we face one, another appears. The only thing I think will conquer fear is trust -- at least this is what I am trying to do.
You have a wonderful Yom Kippur ... and be blessed!
I have always wondered about the meanings behind the different Jewish holidays, and I appreciate that you share so openly about your faith, so that I may learn. I wish you a meaningful Yom Kippur.
Thank you all. It is my pleasure to share, and if I assume some knowledge on the reading, I apologize. Going back to basics has not ever been a strength of mine.
Thank you Barbara for always explaining each holiday with such clear meaning and feeling within.
I wish we all participated in these special holidays with the discipline that the Jewish people take so seriously. To me it is wonderful.
You will as I hope I will overcome fear. We have to trust in God to take care of these things we seem to worry and be afraid about. Having complete Faith to me is a huge step in the right direction.
My prayers will be with all my Jewish friends Thursday. Thanks again for writing so beautifully and where the rest of us understand more clearly. God Bless you and your family.
This post fills me with deep respect for you and your religion. I wish you health and happiness.
I wish you clarity of mind and clear focus as you go through this period of transformation and ritual. May you be self-exposed, influenced, and wholly balanced.
G'mar Chatima Tova
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