REFLECTIONS ON THE HIGH HOLY DAYS
FORGIVENESS AND INTIMACY
REFLECTIONS ON THE HIGH HOLY DAYS
AARON ALLSBROOK
The high holidays . Every Jew knows about them and it ’ s usually the only time most Jews go to any type of service . These are big events , that is , Rosh Hashanah and , especially , Yom Kippur . Many irreligious Jews fast even to some degree on Yom Kippur . Whatever one has done for the other 364 days of the year , Jewish people all over the world typically set this day aside as a day to dress up , attend services , fast ( some or all ), and ask God for forgiveness . Of course , breaking the fast is really where it ’ s at when all get together and celebrate the end of the solemnity and eat bagels and lox for dinner .
Yom Kippur has become the pinnacle really for the modern Jewish calendar . Yes , the Torah does ascribe to this day great awesomeness , even calling it a Shabbat Shabbaton ( Lev 16:31 , 23:32 ), loosely translated as a super Shabbat . On this day we “ afflict our souls ,” traditionally meaning to fast , and , in the days of the Temple , the high priest would engage in his biggest and most important work day . If all went well , God would forgive and cleanse the priesthood , the people , and the Temple . Once this day was over it surely would be a time to celebrate as God ’ s mercy has been poured out again .
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