MONDAY MUSINGS: TESHUVAH

COVID 19 has altered our religious communities in so many ways and prevented services for many from being held inside our sanctuaries. Congregations have sought alternatives in an effort to try to provide community. 

Our community's spiritual leader has been zooming our Sabbath services in which our family can participate from the End of the Rainbow Valley. Of course, we'd all rather be together but this will have to do for right now. 

This weekend Jews the world over began the 10 days of Teshuva, (teh-shoo-vah) repentance, a time for self reflection re: one's actions during the past year. At the end of the 10 day period G-d and one's fellow man will be asked for forgiveness to wipe their slates clean and start anew in the lunar calendar year of 5781.

Our local congregation decided to hold our services this past week- end in a large open tent for those willing to socially distance and wear masks.  

Definitely not a gospel church revival but a roof over one's head to protect one from the elements.  Many opted to not try the tent option. A live video was streamed on FB for those of us who could not join in person. Unfortunately, the internet reception was less than stellar due to a lot of interference with transmission glitches and frozen screens...

What we could do was shul hop. My hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas handled it in a couple of different ways. The Reform Temple prerecorded its services and participants's readings.  It actually was really lovely to see photo montages of congregants and listen to various readers/musical renditions from either inside the Temple/comfort of their own homes. The conservative synagogue there had limited reserved socially distanced sanctuary seating and live streamed their service...  

One of the weekend sermons especially resonated with me from the youngest spiritual leader and included the following questions we need to ask during these days of repentance. 

The first question is a question for oneself:

"What is standing in my way from being the best version of myself?"

The second question actually is for someone else: a friend, partner,                                                                        family member/ stranger

 "What do you need from me? "

And the third question is for G-d: 

One is to make up a question to ask G-d...

If only all of us would take the time to truly be introspective, do an action that would better someone else's life and be spiritual perhaps the world will be a better place to live in 5781... 

I'm willing to try, how about you?

I ask your forgiveness if I have injured you with words or actions this past year... 

ATONING ...

Yom Kippur / יום כפור

Today is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, one of the major holidays of the Jewish year.  All my life, acquaintances have asked me about the Jewish holidays and their significance. Today is a big one and I compare it to the importance of being in church on Christmas/Easter. 

Due to the lunar calendar holidays always fall on different days in the solar calendar which creates a bit of a problem in a Christian country as most of the world still has school and work days. Yom Kippur falls on the 10th of Tishrei, this year in September, next year in October.

Being back at teaching this semester, I needed coverage a couple times for the holidays since both Rosh Hashonah and Yom Kippur fell on work days. My colleagues have covered for me for which I am truly thankful to be able to go to services and know my students are able to have class. 

So my work for today is to atone as my ancestors have done before me. From generation to generation our traditions are passed on and after 10 Days of Awe for personal reflection and repentance  by sunset tonight and the blowing of the shofar (ram's horn) Jews all over the world will break their 24 hour fast and start the new Year of 5779 with a clean slate ...  

"G'mar hatimah tova" is the traditional Yom Kippur greeting. It means "May you be sealed for a good year in the book of life" in Hebrew.

Below are a couple of links you might find interesting...
SHOFAR BLOWING
FORGIVENESS

RESOLUTIONS,BAH HUMBUG?

A lot of people make resolutions for the New Year but if you are Jewish you've have had this opportunity a couple of months ago during the lunar Jewish New Year. We have an entire week to think about renewal, even asking forgiveness from others for wrongs we have committed. Then, the slate is cleared and we begin the New Year with hopes of being better. Whether we are letting ourselves off too easy thinking we really can erase wrongs is fodder for another day but psychologically we are given another chance.

This past year has been more brutal verbally than others. It's obvious that folks have felt like they've been giving permission to say whatever is on their mind. Eegads, it has been an eyeopener as to the racial and gender progress we have not made. Disappointing and disheartening to say the least. But alas it's a new year, another chance to be better.

One of my friends for this secular New Year suggested starting a Kindness Brigade whereby each day one consciously performs an act of kindness. I salute that intention. What can it hurt? 

No matter how many New Years we celebrate let us embrace the option to be kind on a daily basis.  I know I have more work to do, don't you?