*chortle*

I am in a rather terrifyingly good mood, for various reasons.

So, before I haul myself into another day of NeedstoBeDoneNOW!work, I leave you with my most recent poster-creation...









proably funnier if you know the old 'she's the Pope, he's a chimp, together they solve crime'joke iterations...

Yom Kippur

I'm a very lapsed Jew. But the rituals of my upbringing formed me, and especially during the Days of Awe I find myself returning to them.

On Rosh Hashanna, Jews turn to others and say "forgive me for the sins I committed against you, as I forgive those committed against me." On Yom Kippur, Jews turn to God (however you may determine and define God) and say "forgive me for the sins I committed against You." For me, then, it's a reconciliation with the universe at large, the spark that creates and motivates and enlightens us.

The service that opens the holiday this evening is called the kol nidre. It translates, roughly, to 'all vows.' Repent, and sins of commission and ommission alike are forgiven; unfulfilled vows are dissolved, we begin the New Year with potential and promise, not guilt and regret.

In the year, we have done many things:
We made vows, and were unable to sustain them.
We made promises, and failed them.
We have gossiped
We have judged.
We have comitted slander.
We have been uncharitable.
We have been unkind.
We have not practiced lovingkindness to others.
We have not practiced lovingkindness to ourselves.

The list is long, for we are human. Forgive us (may we forgive ourselves) these failures of positive commands and negative commands, whether or not they involve an intentional act, whether or not they were performed unawares.

On Yom Kippur the Book of Life is closed and sealed for the year. May next year find us all in the City of Peace.

Amen.

May all those who are fasting have an easy time of it, and may we all find peace, within and without.


---
This is also the day I set aside to remember my grandparents. ( This year... )