9 Tishrei 5776
Erev Yom haKippurim
Erev Yom haKippurim
***Neat Update Below***
We all feel the Yom Kippur cloud hanging over our heads, as a friend said to me the other day. I think we need to think bigger this year.
- What do we think of the Jewish people: Are we only a religion, or do we need to think bigger than that? How do we think a change in perspective — our place in the world, regardless of what it thinks — might affect our everyday relationships with our parents, our children, our friends and neighbors, and others around us? With HaShem?
- The Torah affirms that there are some things we cannot help, however much we want to. We can choose our friends and spouse, but not those who raised us and those we were raised with. Many of us were born into unfortunate situations, but we still can, and therefore must, choose wisely for the future. “The hand we were dealt with” has been increasingly more difficult over the generations. All the more reason to promise ourselves and G-d that we will strive harder to overcome our past.
- Imagine if you had heard that Eliyahu haNavi was going around speaking with people and knew Mashiach was announced. Let us prepare now, so we will not do and say things we will regret forever.
- Remember that Yom Kippur is not only for the forgiveness of sin, but also for becoming more sensitive to others’ needs. Speaking of which, if I have hurt, insulted or otherwise pained you, please forgive me. I haven't meant it and will try to do better this year!
G’mar Hatimah Tovah!
More reading and viewing:
Better to be safe than sorry! Be ready by Succoth!
גמר חתימה טובה
UPDATE: I found an interesting explanation of "sinath hinam" here, from both Bavli and Yerushalmi Talmuds.
4 comments:
Wishing you a G'mar Hatimah Tovah and I forgive you (for what???) :-)
Also wishing you a meaningful Yom Kippur, with revelations of wisdom and humbleness, and that we can concentrate on the Majesty of Awesomeness of our Creator.
Amen. And I forgive you (for what???) too. :)
I need all the wisdom and humility (not humiliation) I can get.
May all am Yisrael be blessed and merit the book of life.
I really like the bit about Sinas Hinam! I was visiting his site regularly, but after a year gave up. You landed on it just when he posted anew. :-) !!!!!
Yes, Neshama! We've all been dwelling on "sinath hinam" for ever so long and haven't solved it, and along comes JJ (Jewish End of Days) and neatly spells it out for us! I asked him to post where this is located in the Bavli and Yerushalmi.
Sometimes (as in this case) the Yerushalmi explains better than the Bavli, as he points out, and precedes it as well. "This is the tshuva the Jews need to do to get out of Exile. Don’t love money. Don’t hate another Jew for no reason." I like this very much - it just might break the logjam.
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