Yom Kippur has arrived following the celebration of Rosh Hashanah, marking the significant day known as the Day of Atonement in the Jewish Calendar. This occasion allows individuals the opportunity to seek forgiveness and reflects on the “10 Days of Awe” that lie between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, a period for Jews to engage in “teshuvah,” or repentance.
As a child, I had a mixed view of Yom Kippur. The long services and fasting were challenging, yet I appreciated the stillness it required. My family usually returned home after the main service, allowing the day to drift slowly until sunset, discussing the sermon and eagerly awaiting the large muffins that typically marked our community’s break fast.
In a world that can feel increasingly chaotic, dedicating a day to deep reflection seems especially meaningful this year.
Yom Kippur encourages a spirit of generosity, fostering the belief that God acknowledges our best qualities while urging us to recognize them ourselves. To embrace this spirit, I propose a guide for both Jewish and non-Jewish readers this year on embracing atonement.
First, reflect on mortality. One core aspect of Yom Kippur is acknowledging the fragility of life. The holiday features the reading of Unetaneh Tokef, which contemplates the various fates that may befall worshippers in the coming year. It serves as a reminder to appreciate life and live honorably, recognizing that existence is delicate and can be taken for granted.
Furthermore, the meaningful life advocated by Yom Kippur is not rooted in indulgence but in acts of kindness—sharing wealth with those in need, offering patience to friends during tough times, and assisting others, like holding subway doors for rushing commuters. The world is more likely to be mended through small, thoughtful gestures rather than grand initiatives.
Humility is crucial as well. Rabbi David Wolpe of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles pointed out the unpredictability of life, stating, “We all live with a gun to our head and no one knows when it’s going to go off.” Yom Kippur prompts us to set aside our pursuit of eternal youth and acknowledge that the future is never guaranteed.
Asking for forgiveness requires humility. This holiday is active, compelling individuals to extend their atonement to others, offering genuine apologies without certainty of receiving forgiveness in return. True goodness should not merely seek recognition; it should thrive on its own.
Lastly, embrace hope. Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah coexist for a reason. We reflect on our individual and collective shortcomings to pave the way for a better year ahead. The resulting hope becomes a genuine endeavor, informed by the lessons learned from past missteps.
As Yom Kippur concludes, Jews reconnect with a clear understanding of the challenges of achieving goodness and commit to enriching our lives, communities, and the world with positivity.