Friday, September 25

 

7 Tishrei 5770

 

Shabbat Shalom -

Yom Kippur begins at sundown on Sunday and this holiday is the very important culmination of a period of deep introspection.  Have you caught yourself thinking over the past week - I shouldn't be saying this or I shouldn't be doing that - because we are between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur? During the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur we tend to be more attune to our actions and deeds as we are very well aware this is a time of judgment
ement leading to a day of atonement.  In other words, perhaps, we are all trying to be on our best behavior during this important time? 

This reminds me of an analogy with the winter holiday season.   More people think about donating food to the needy between Thanksgiving and Christmas than at any other time of the year.  But, what about all of the other months of the year when people are hungry?  In other words, we spend a significant amount of time on introspection, nourishing our souls, thinking about who we are, trying to be better people over the high holidays, but what about the rest of the year?  This is not to say that we should spend so much time thinking and concentrating on the "self" that we exclude thinking about others, ourselves or our communal responsibilities.   As Rabbi Hillel so wisely said, "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am not for others, what am I? And if not now, when?" 

As we move through 5770, let's think about the things for which we can commit to doing for ourselves.  And, let's think about what we can do for others and our community.  Is there something about myself that I can realistically improve?  Is there some way I can care for my community more deeply this year?  Can I act on this now?  These are not resolutions, but commitments to improving ourselves and taking care of each other beyond the holidays.

This commitment begins as we join together in prayer on Yom Kippur, when we ask for forgiveness.  In a sense we are all taking responsibility for each others imperfections as we atone for our individual transgressions.  This is the epitome of Judaism's notion of all of us being responsible for one another.  In that same vain, let's remember this time of year when we sit in our board rooms or in committee meetings, when we talk with our children and parents, when we meet with our donors (or potential donors), when we make our philanthropic commitments, and  when we interact with our friends. 

Let's remember how we feel this time of year and carry that feeling through for ourselves and for our community and may we go from the strength of the high holidays to the strength it takes for all of our days to be meaningful and important. 

Have an easy fast...