Each year, a greater number of people ask me about opportunities to enhance the spiritual import of the High Holy Days. In that spirit and with Yom Kippur fast approaching, I wanted to share two special opportunities that have great meaning to me and might also be existentially beneficial to you:
1) “Sneak” Your Way into Shul: In the Book of Leviticus, the Torah instructs us to “afflict” ourselves on the Day of Atonement. Our Sages determined that “affliction” means that we are to deny ourselves certain luxuries, including the wearing of leather shoes, which were in antiquity only worn by the wealthy and the privileged. I, therefore, invite and encourage and you to wear comfortable shoes like sneakers on Yom Kippur. If you are so inclined, you should also or even to feel free to wear non leather sandals or even go in stockinged feet during your time in Shul. As the only saying goes, Yom Kippur is a great time to bare both your soul and your sole! :)
2) Yom Kippur is a “Whiteout” Opportunity: Do you remember the white liquid substance known as whiteout? It was used to blot out mistakes. Yom Kippur is a time to “cover over” our past missteps and misdeeds and start fresh with a clean (white!) slate. With this in mind, I invite us all to dress in white on Yom Kippur as a symbol of our yearning to be pure and untainted as we enter the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. Some wear a Kittel, a white cloak that is traditionally worn at high points in the Jewish Year (the Days of Awe, Passover, etc.) and the Jewish Life Cycle (Brises, namings, weddings, and at the time of burial, etc.), while others simply dress in white garb. Either way, I urge you to consider dressing in white throughout Yom Kippur and pray that it helps us all attain our desired goals of forgiveness, expiation and spiritual transcendence.
As is customary at this season I ask for your forgiveness for anything that I have done - or which I should have done - this past year. I hope to be better and do better in the New Year of 5780.
Cantor Sharon, Rabbi Neal, Rabbi Joe, and Cantorial Intern Mira join me in wishing you G’mar Chatimah Tovah! May we each be sealed for a good New Year!
With love,
Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose
The Rabbi Bernard Lipnick Senior Rabbinic Chair ravroseba@bnaiamoona.com
314-576-9990 x105
