erev Yom Kippur

[lagilman]

I am not - as most of you know - an observant Jew. I am, in fact, a forgetting-to-practice Jew who is far more cultural than religious, more in tune with the Buddhist philosophy than anything my Conservative (and even the Reform) cousins might recognize. But Yom Kippur... Yom Kippur I observe, in my own way. Although I am not a member of a synagogue, I listen to the Kol Nidrei (thank you, Internets) and I refrain from food, and I consider what it means, to open yourself up and offer forgiveness, to open yourself to others, and ask for forgiveness.

And how very hard, sometimes, both of those things are.

And how very necessary, and good, both those things are, in this world we all inhabit.

If, in the past year, I have caused you pain or hurt, either intentionally or unintentionally, I apologize, and I ask your forgiveness. May there be peace between us.

If, in the past year, you have caused me pain or hurt, either intentionally or unintentionally, I let go of any grudge or resentment. I forgive the harm, I let go of the hurt. I am at peace with you.

On this eve, may we be released from all vows made to ourselves, or with our god(s), that proved impossible to keep, from all promises attempted but unfulfilled. May we be at peace with ourselves.

From this Day of Atonement until the next.

Amen.

G'mar Hatimah Tovah. May you be sealed for a good year in the Book of Life.

Comments

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

Wishes for a year of sweetness, joy, and peace.

For everyone.

[alycewilson.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful sentiment. I wish that every religion included such an observance.

[nycdeb.livejournal.com]

Call yourself unobservant if you will but when you observe, you observing in the best possible way - you focus on the important things, the heart of the matter. If everyone observed the way you observed, we'd have a more peaceful world.

G'mar Hatimah Tovah.