Last week was Rosh HaShanah.  Tonight begins Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement (or as the rabbi at the synagogue I attend likes to say, at-ONE-ment).  Not to be outdone by Rosh HaShanah, instead of alternating cycles of prayer and food, Yom Kippur is observed by prayer, skip the food, more prayer, skip the food again, and so on.  25+ hours are spent fasting (and abstaining from many other things), which is supposed to help me concentrate on nothing but atonement, without being distracted by the things around me.  Fasting in Judaism means that literally nothing passes between your lips, so no food, no beverages, no toothbrushing.  You're not even supposed to shower, lest some water accidently gets into your mouth.  Fasting is a good idea in theory, I suppose, but I often find that after skipping dinner, breakfast, and lunch, it's hard to think of anything besides being hungry and thirsty.  Fortunately, I'm pretty sure having a poor attention span is not one of the sins we confess to and ask absolution for during the service.

Another part of Yom Kippur is seeking forgiveness from other people, since according to the customs of Judaism, G-d can only forgive you for broken promises to or transgressions toward G-d, but not towards other people.  So, if there is anything I have done to offend or hurt anyone who reads this blog in the past, I am truly sorry and hope that you will forgive me.

Word of the Day:

gregarious (adj.) - happy to be with others