The 3 T's

At sundown on Tuesday, 5776 the holiest day of the year for Jews, Yom Kippur, the Day of Repentance, would begin and before heading to services I received an email from Rabbi Winnick in Little Rock. This email contained words of wisdom regarding changes we could start making before this day of soul cleansing. My thought was why not share these universal concepts?

Teshuva תשובה/ Repentance

May we already be sincerely evaluating our behavior: our ethics as well as our spiritual devotion; our deeds, our words and our thoughts. To err is human; to admit and improve upon it is to connect with the Divine.

Let us say we are sorry even before it is demanded - sorry to those we hurt, sorry to G-d and sorry even to ourselves. Forgiveness is often available, but not before regret and sincerely repentance.

If I have offended/hurt you with my words or actions this past year, please accept my apologies.

Tefila תפילה / Prayer

Ps 20:10 “G-d answers us on the day we call out”. Let us seek “early admission” into the gates of Heaven by opening our souls and mouths in prayer before Yom Kippur. Let our prayers be better than those of the mahzor ( prayer book) because we will say them in a language we understand; let it be better than in the synagogue because we are active and not passive; let us express our confession and our regret; our willingness to accept just consequences, but our sincere commitment that we will do better if graciously given another chance.

And let our prayers - our calling out -  not be only for ourselves. Let us pray for those in need of healing and comfort and direction. Let us pray for our children - for them to be safe and blessed and connected with G-d.

Since it is customary on the afternoon before Yom Kippur for parents to bless their children (of any age)  with the same blessing as they bless them each Shabbat (Sabbath) - that same blessing which the Priests bless the Jewish People:

May G-d bless you and keep you;

May G-d make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you;

May G-d lift up His face to you and grant you peace.

So even though miles separate me from my children and 'bonus' children and grandchildren, I repeated this prayer.

Tzedakah צדקה / Charity

Not as a bribe, but as a show of good acts and good faith, let each of us dig deeper into our souls and deeper into our pockets to give to those in financial need. Remember in advance that our very lives - physical and spiritual - are on the line and that none of us can “take it (our money) with us when we go.” So before Yom Kippur, let us show we have the right priorities with open hearts and open purse-strings.

This past weekend a neighbor with early Alzheimer's and his family & friends were participating in a walk to bring awareness to his disease and working towards raising monies for Alzheimer's research - an opportunity presented itself where I was able to help them reach their monetary goal.

So, I was reminded as in any special calendar day, one doesn't have to wait to reflect, repent, pray/bless and give charity. We can start any time.

May we all take the time to spiritually cleanse ourselves more often... it's never too early.