11.
(These posts are not promoting a singular religion. I am writing about what I run across in my life and draw from.)
The Cohanan summarizes Yom Kippur
(These posts are not promoting a singular religion. I am writing about what I run across in my life and draw from.)
The Cohanan summarizes Yom Kippur
It's been a full September. My birthday happened, it was the passing of mom's anniversary, Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year) took place (to me it does feel as if the year begins now), it's the 9/11 anniversary and I've heard many others have their birthdays in September too. I was surprised. I thought I was the only one. The universe does seem to wake up in September and things get serious.
I was speaking to my dad a couple of days ago and he reminded me to buy Yahrzeit candles (traditionally candles that honor the dead that burn for 24 hours). One would be to honor my mom's passing (in Judaism this year it's two weeks after the actual date) and one for Yom Kippur, when Kaddish is said, the prayer for the dead.
The Jewish New Year seems welcoming and a cheerful occasion. Yom Kippur comes after and is deeper. One gives serious thought to things. I asked the Cohanan in a couple of sentences to sum up Yom Kippur. He said, "First, it is to ask forgiveness from God for things done wrong (sins) the previous year. He added. "it is often hard to know what we have done wrong." So true.
"Secondly, one prayers for blessings for health and well being in the coming year." If one goes to an orthodox synagogue one sees men and women hunched over their prayer books for 12 hours or so reciting prayers relating to these two thoughts. Personally, I'll fast that day and ponder these two items all day as life permits.
I was speaking to my dad a couple of days ago and he reminded me to buy Yahrzeit candles (traditionally candles that honor the dead that burn for 24 hours). One would be to honor my mom's passing (in Judaism this year it's two weeks after the actual date) and one for Yom Kippur, when Kaddish is said, the prayer for the dead.
The Jewish New Year seems welcoming and a cheerful occasion. Yom Kippur comes after and is deeper. One gives serious thought to things. I asked the Cohanan in a couple of sentences to sum up Yom Kippur. He said, "First, it is to ask forgiveness from God for things done wrong (sins) the previous year. He added. "it is often hard to know what we have done wrong." So true.
"Secondly, one prayers for blessings for health and well being in the coming year." If one goes to an orthodox synagogue one sees men and women hunched over their prayer books for 12 hours or so reciting prayers relating to these two thoughts. Personally, I'll fast that day and ponder these two items all day as life permits.