Yom Kippur Marks Day of Reflection, Atonement

At sundown, Jews across the world and at the Beth El Temple Center on Concord Avenue will begin observing the holy day of Yom Kippur. 

According to tradition, the Day of Atonement marks the end of 10 days of reflection and repentance, imagined in the liturgy as a Day of Judgment for each person before the Supreme Judge, whose final decisions are written in a heavenly book.

The Hebrew greeting, "Gemar chatimah tovah," translated as "May you be inscribed for good in the Book of Life," captures the metaphor and meaning of the day.

Except for Sandy Koufax, who would not pitch the first game of the 1965 World Series because it fell on the holiday, fasting is Yom Kipper's most associated act of devotion.

Abstaining from food and drink (and baseball) fulfills the Biblical commandments of self-denial and solemnity. Physical desires are denied to concentrate on spiritual needs through prayer and self-improvement.  At Yom Kippur, Jews often seek out those whom they have wronged to ask forgiveness.

Although the central prayers and confessionals are collective, emphasizing "we," not "I," Yom Kippur means something special to each person following the ancient tradition going back six millennia (the current year in the Hebrew calendar is 5771).

Clergy and congregants at Beth El were asked what the holiday means to them.

Rabbi Jonathan Kraus recollects a bumper sticker: "'Remember who you meant to be."

"That best explains what Yom Kippur means to me. It's an opportunity to look closely at my life, to measure what I am, against what I intended. In the New Year, I will try to become that person. I will also reconnect with the precious faith community that anchors my life."

As his inspiration, Cantor Geoffrey Fine shares an acrostic; the first letter of a word (here it is "Yom" or day in Hebrew) becomes a sentence:

"You slowly contemplate what you've done wrong this year, find the strength to say 'I'm sorry,' and break with the past failings.

Offer before the Creator to repent for your sins.

Make a vow to change – not just by words, but action."

For congregant Paulette Black, Yom Kippur is an opportunity to turn off distractions and focus on relationships.   

"In this busy world of smart phones, iPods, and the Web, Yom Kippur and the Days of Awe are healing, reminding us of what's essential. We listen to ourselves and those we love. The review of the past year helps us to appreciate our blessings and make more of a difference in the coming year."

Todd Shuster grew up associating Yom Kippur with discomfort, interminable praying, fasting and apologizing.

"Now I see it as an upbeat holiday, more a Day of Renewal than a Day of Atonement. I quietly reflect on my many mistakes and shortcomings and recommit to improving in the years ahead. I find comfort surrounded by family, friends and the Beth El Temple community, dedicated to living in a holy way. These certainly make the long day of fasting and praying easier!" 

Elaine Alligood believes that Yom Kippur marks a boundary between the past, beyond our control, and the future, which we help shape.

 "Yom Kippur is a time of remembering and planning. Yes, I assess the personal successes and failings of the past year and learn from them.  But just as importantly, I move forward with a renewed appreciation of my life, my family and my community."

Yom Kipper begins at sunset today, Friday, Sept. 17.