Yom Kippur -- A Turning Point

Reflections from Bev Becker,
member, Jewish Heritage Group, DuPage UU Church

What is Yom Kippur?

Yom Kippur is the most solemn and sacred day of the Jewish New Year. Sometimes referred to as "The Days of Awe", the New Year for Jews begins with Rosh Hashanah (this year that was at sundown on Sept. 13) and ends 10 days later with Yom Kippur (this year at sundown on Sept. 2

A Clean Slate

What is it that is so special about this holiday that causes some Jews to attend services when they typically do not? In English, Yom Kippur is known as the Day of Atonement. Traditionally, this is the day of fasting and repentance: the day when, after ruthless self-examination, the person asks their god for forgiveness of their misdeeds over the past year. They ask that their slate be wiped clean so that they can start anew in the coming year. And, in infinite mercy, lovingkindness, and patience their god complies.

Forgiveness

During these ten days of introspection, we look at our relationships with others; family, friends, neighbors and any others we may have wronged or mistreated and we ask for their forgiveness. And we, if asked, are ready to forgive them and perhaps reconcile. We ask them to forgive us and they ask us to forgive them.

Character

It is said that, "On Rosh Hashanah it is written, and on Yom Kippur it is sealed." For me, this means that I am involved in a self-inventory. I think about the person I would like to be. As my 93 year old friend, Margaret Clark, said to me recently, "All of life has led me to where I am today and who I am." This life long process is called character development. Just what, we promise to do in our DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church Mission Statement. "We gather as an inclusive community to grow in character, mind, and spirit and to transform the world toward fairness, love, and compassion."
 

Yom Kippur gives us a time to reflect on the moral quality of our values and behavior, it is a chance to change behaviors we are not proud of, and vow to be better people in the coming year. It is a time to forgive and to ask for forgiveness, as well as a time to consider reconciliation

Values, Actions

Yom Kippur gives us a time to reflect on the moral quality of our values and behavior, it is a chance to change behaviors we are not proud of, and vow to be better people in the coming year. It is a time to forgive and to ask for forgiveness, as well as a time to consider reconciliation. Yom Kippur marks a "turning" point. A 'turning" from what was to what will be. Thus, it is written on a new page in our personal book of life.

To Seal One’s Intentions

And on Yom Kippur, our promise to ourselves to turn is "sealed" in the Book of Life. Some believe that being "sealed" in the Book of Life for the coming year determines their "fate". Others, like me, believe that it is our intentions that are "sealed" or set on a new course, and that how we treat others and ourselves and, subsequently, the character we develop and possess takes place as a fluid process within our own control.

Renewal

In reflecting on why Yom Kippur seems so meaningful to many of us, Jews and non-Jews alike, I attribute that fondness to the concept of renewal, of the ability to "set things straight" with ourselves and others. And, within the Yom Kippur service, the time to remember those who are departed and our promise to perpetuate and transmit everything that was beautiful and lovely in the characters of these people. With all of that, as my mother-in-law would have said, "What's not to like?!"