Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Yom Kippur: The gift of a clean slate

 https://www.ynetnews.com/opinions-analysis/article/bkdbc11d2ee

The holiest day of the year is not about guilt; it is about freedom, renewal and the courage to begin again 

For many, Yom Kippur conjures images of long prayers, fasting and solemn rituals. But beneath the surface, it is not a day of heaviness. It is a day of release.

Yom Kippur offers something rare in our world: the chance to wipe the slate clean. Imagine carrying a heavy backpack filled with regrets, mistakes and disappointments. On Yom Kippur, you are invited to set it down. To breathe. To walk forward lighter than before.

8 comments :

  1. Missing point: You have to show up and make an effort. Too many people think it's automatic and happens even if you spend the day at McDonald's.

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    Replies
    1. It's the temple service including the Seir HaMishtaleach, which was sent through the E1 neighborhood all the way to the dead sea.
      Sitting in shul all day won't do it either.

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    2. Generally a humble, contrite heart is what does it.
      So everyon have an easy fast and hopefully we're all around on Friday to share how it went.

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    3. Sure
      But the point I'm making, is that today everyone is talking about ritual impurity, how we need the red heifer etc.
      Without it we can't be perfectly pure.
      So same applies to yom Kippur and the Beit hamikdash.
      What we have today is not the real deal, it's like virtual yom Kippur ritually.

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    4. Well its the midrash on Avraham asking what would be after the Temple was destroyed. And he was told that reciting the ritual would replace it.

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    5. Conceived, written, performed.. after the churban, and without calling Abraham up from the dead.

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    6. Well yes but we assume that it was a tradition known to us from the time of Avraham Avinu.
      At any rate, when you dig enough, you discover that when we don't live in Israel, we don't have a deep down obligation to keep any mitzvos. The reason we do is to stay in practice for when we return to Israel and the Temple is rebuilt. We're all on virtual mode right now.

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