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My son Oriel, without having read Joseph Campbell, commented when we were studying Moses' process of achieving atonement for the sin of the Golden Calf, that it parallels The Hero's Journey, "A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man (The Hero With A Thousand Faces)."
Oriel then suggested that we approach the Service of the High Priest on Yom Kippur from the same perspective. I've been studying the Yom Kippur Service through this lens since learning with my son, and, although I agree, I discovered an additional layer of The Hero's Journey: The Yom Kippur Service is a reminder that our journey from the past year into the future is that of the hero.
Ever since Adam was expelled from Eden, referenced in the Yom Kippur Machzor, we perceive our lives as exile from perfection. The High Priest on Yom Kippur wants us to appreciate our journey through life as that of the Hero.
"He would sprinkle the blood, once upward and seven downward, and so would he count, 'One, one and one, one and two...one and seven." That single sprinkle upward is the magical journey back to perfection.
The seven downward sprinkles represent the stages of our Hero's Journey with The Call To Adventure - God's invitation to Yom Kippur, Crossing the Threshold - Entering the Holy of Holies, The Road of Trials - the Confessions, Apotheosis - dressed in white garments similar to burial shrouds, Vision Quest - filling the Holy of Holies with a cloud of smoke, Master of Two Worlds - the parade, dances, and parties celebrating a successful Yom Kippur, and, The Freedom to Live - the Day After Yom Kippur.
Those who approach Yom Kippur seeking that magical, single-step journey back to perfection, are following Adam's path away from the Garden. They are usually filled with guilt, and approach the confessions with breast-beating misery in frustration.
Those who approach Yom Kippur, and successfully reify its lessons to journey as heroes into the future, are joyously marking the tempo of their steps on the journey with each beat of the confessions, looking forward to the mysterious and wonderful adventure of life.
I wish each of you success on your adventurous Hero's Journey of Yom Kippur, celebrating accomplishments, and looking forward to celebrating The Freedom to Live life at its fullest.
Shabbat Shalom, Shanah Tovah, and a Yom Kippur that will bless you with all you need to master your Journey. Rabbi Simcha L. Weinberg President If you are interested in sponsoring our  winning Newsletter, please email info@thefoundationstone.org Go to our Blog  Follow us on Twitter   Become a Fan  | 
