My Yom Kippur

When I was littler I was scared of Yom Kippur. After all, the phrase ‘The Day of Atonement’, sums it all.

I’m not a child anymore. And although my sins accumulate each day, each week, and each month, so does my good deeds.

Yom Kippur is probably the most important holiday in the Jewish religion, or should be. Because it is the one-day dedicated solely to afflict the soul. For some, it means praying, for others, resting and/or refraining from any form of work. For me, it means self-reflection.

This is why I’m not scared anymore. But not because I was pure, or absolutely good every single minute of the previous year. Not because I do not regret things I’ve said or did. But because I have this one-day to look at the past year in slow motion captions, look deeply and truly inside my heart.

It is my opportunity to examine whether I like what I see when I look at my reflection in the mirror. I don’t have to like it all. But I do have to try to see who I am, what I’ve done or said this past year, what I have accomplished and wish to accomplish this year, my weaknesses and strengths, my sins and good deeds.

Most of all, Yom Kippur is mine to ask for forgiveness, aloud from those who deserve to hear it, and silently, from those who will not be able to hear it.

Yom Kippur is a great day. It is no longer a burden for me, because I get to know me better. I get to spiritually grow higher. I get to admit of all my failures and successes. Above all, I get to forgive myself, and others, and begin a fresh new year with hopes.

This year will be a great year!