(from www.livingnow.com.au)There are numerous sources concerning the Jewish New Year that would surpass anything I might have to say on the subject. I'll leave you some links before I go... but I like the idea of having several "new years" in mind. We engage in raucous parties and drink ourselves silly on December 31st... so, I like considering the new year of other cultures to give myself a new start. I know we say that's "the point" of January 1st of every new secular year, but the world is so busy with its fireworks and kisses at midnight and regular, old-fashioned debauchery. When observing the new year of another culture or religion, while the majority of the neighborhood is quiet, you can really focus on cleaning the proverbial slate.
And maybe these new years come around when you really need a clean slate. This holiday preceeds the Holy Day known as Yom Kippur, The Day of Atonement. On Yom Kippur, many Jews fast and send sincere apologies to those that they feel they have wronged throughout the year.
Just think about that. You get to start off fresh, but to enjoy that ride, you have to consider who you've injured, offended, or treated thoughtlessly throughout the year and tie up your loose ends. I'd normally consider that backwards, that we should apologize and then consider ourselves redeemed. But then again, what do you do when your apology is not accepted? Or even acknowledged? You have until 4pm on Yom Kippur, according to the Talmud, to sort out your differences and both parties should forgive, forget, and move on. But, come now... we're human beings. Surely even the most devout Jew, once every other Yom Kippur or so, is just not ready to let things go.
So, where do you put your heartfelt, thought-out apology?
I guess if you walk into Yom Kippur with this sense of newness, the heaviness lifted, you might have a better chance at withstanding doing what you must no matter what.
I love this idea of this exercise. It asks a lot of us, but it's all very simply done if you just choose to do it. To have to think about your actions. Turn the finger to yourself rather than the insults others have supposedly thrown upon you. What have you done to potentially hurt someone you love (or don't love much)?
Now, as it goes, these apologies are for people with whom you've not reconciled. The practice is not meant to make you wrack your brain about each little indiscretion you've made for the last 365 days. Chances are, even as you read this, you know what your unfinished business must be. If you don't have any, lucky you! Good Yom Tov and pass the apples!
However, for those of us who know there are hurts that need a more active solution to heal, the Jewish New Year is here to inspire you to make good with people in your world.
As for me? I'm going to go make good with the poor unsuspecting new students coming to my Beginner's Workshop tomorrow afternoon... maybe between now and the 28th, I'll find a moment to breathe and reach into myself honestly and see what I can do to stop aggravating any of my problems with others.
(from www.flatchicken.com)
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