Yom Kippur Inspiration
Today I told a jewish friend to have an easy fast. She reminded me that it should be meaningful. Yom Kippur is my husband's favorite holiday. Yes, one does wonder. For many, this is the day when people with really bad breath, body odor (try coming around an orthodox shul on the afternoon of Yom Kippur) no make-up and bedroom shoes pray together. Don't see the appeal yet? He loves the intensity of the day, the devotion and the idea that finally Jews all over the world are experiencing the same thing as he is.
Praying makes me really hungry. Praying all day makes me super hungry. I am generally hungry by the time I get home from Kol Nidra. I do like where Yom Kippur takes me though. Its an accomplishment and ....a gift. A gift to purge and start a new. The idea that I can survive 26 hours without food or water seems to most of my non-Jewish friends, nothing short of heroic. I do feel a sense of accomplishment and I love eating when it’s over. There are times during the day when I fantasize about food. Oh now, don't be so almighty. You do too. But truthfully those of us who "survive" Yom Kippur cannot really enjoy it. The real joy comes from "thriving" through Yom Kippur.
Sukkoth seems like the most wonderful holiday in the world to me and some of that feeling must come from the fact that it comes right after Yom Kippur. I'm also somewhat of a Gilligan's Island fan and like the idea of living in a hut (albeit connected to my home with modern conveniences and plumbing). So where were we? Ah yes, the joy of Yom Kippur. Our rabbis teach us that when the mashiach comes Yom Kippur will still exist and will be a day of joy. For now, it is a day of fasting and prayer. For our lives or at the least our souls do hang in the balance. Well, wishing you all an easy fast, a meaningful fast and a good finish. May you be SEALED for life!
Praying makes me really hungry. Praying all day makes me super hungry. I am generally hungry by the time I get home from Kol Nidra. I do like where Yom Kippur takes me though. Its an accomplishment and ....a gift. A gift to purge and start a new. The idea that I can survive 26 hours without food or water seems to most of my non-Jewish friends, nothing short of heroic. I do feel a sense of accomplishment and I love eating when it’s over. There are times during the day when I fantasize about food. Oh now, don't be so almighty. You do too. But truthfully those of us who "survive" Yom Kippur cannot really enjoy it. The real joy comes from "thriving" through Yom Kippur.
Sukkoth seems like the most wonderful holiday in the world to me and some of that feeling must come from the fact that it comes right after Yom Kippur. I'm also somewhat of a Gilligan's Island fan and like the idea of living in a hut (albeit connected to my home with modern conveniences and plumbing). So where were we? Ah yes, the joy of Yom Kippur. Our rabbis teach us that when the mashiach comes Yom Kippur will still exist and will be a day of joy. For now, it is a day of fasting and prayer. For our lives or at the least our souls do hang in the balance. Well, wishing you all an easy fast, a meaningful fast and a good finish. May you be SEALED for life!
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