For all of my Jewish readers, including myself, Tuesday evening
marked the beginning of our holiest day in the year, Yom Kippur, or the Day of
Atonement. On this day, many Jews the world over, will be fasting until sundown this evening in an effort to cleanse ourselves of any sins we have
committed in the past year. That’s the part where we apologize to God for any
offenses we may have committed against Him.
But Yom Kippur is also about making amends with the
individuals you may have offended, and this must be done directly, not through
God. Traditionally, after you have asked forgiveness of the offended party 3
times, you are released from your obligation, and the sin of unforgiveness then
falls upon the one who was originally aggrieved, as they would seem to lack the
ability to forgive. It is a most interesting concept, and not as easily
accomplished as one would think. The perception of just who was responsible for
the affront is subjective at best, making this one of the most difficult of the
Commandments to fulfill, as it involves pride.
The painting above is called “Jews Praying in the Synagogue
on Yom Kippur” and was painted in 1878 by artist Maurycy Gottlieb. To all my
readers, regardless of faith, may we come together in the year ahead. The
alternative to not doing so is almost unthinkable.
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