What’s Happening! Community Newspapers
October, 2008
Yom Kippur – A Day of Celebration?
By Rabbi Meir Moscowitz
The Talmud tells us that Yom Kippur is the most joyous day on the Jewish calendar.
Joyous? Are we talking about the same day? The 25 hour fast, no shower, no mouthwash – and you call that joyous!
Let’s take a step back and understand Yom Kippur in its essence not just its adherence.
Where does forgiveness stem from? Why should I forgive someone who has wronged me just because he apologized, he still did wrong shouldn’t his credit report record that for eternity?
Chassidic thought emphasizes that genuine forgiveness is borne from reorientation of the relationship. When anger results from a companion wronging me, the wrong defines the relationship. He’s the guy that mistreated me. When he asks for forgiveness and makes genuine atonement he is rearranging our interaction, he once again becomes, my friend (who did something wrong), his identity is our camaraderie not our behavior, and then forgiveness can settle in.
On Yom Kippur we reintroduce ourselves to G‑d as a soul, a part of Him, a child seeking their parent. When we fast, we ignore our body and highlight our spiritual nature. We are spiritual beings who may do wrong, yet we seek to reconnect with our true spiritual selves and present that to G‑d. And when we do, we are released from the pains of human pettiness and strife – a true cause for genuine joy!
May we be written and sealed in the Book of Life for a healthy, happy and meaningful 5769.
Rabbi Meir Moscowitz is director of Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook . He also directs the Northbrook Jewish Learning Institute (JLI)