(arriving Tuesday, Sep. 22 at sundown)
1-Plan to wear clean white clothing as a symbol of purity. This tradition equates each of us with the High Priest who wore white garments during the days of the TEMPLE! Purity of garments hopefully helps to foster a pure mental outlook.
2- Plan to 'unplug' from as many devices as possible for 25 hours. It's challenging but allows us to focus on true priorities. Check in with all of your loved ones in the upcoming days and wish them well and explain you'll be 'offline' for Yom Kippur. (Try to use text messages and phone calls only for health emergencies).
3- Mentally prepare yourself to eliminate food and beverages during the 25 hour long fast, from sundown until one hour after sundown. (Caffeine drinkers need to gradually decrease their consumption a few days in advance before going 'cold turkey'). Pregnant/nursing women are not allowed to fast. People required to eat in order to take medicine or due to health concerns may eat small quantities of food as directed by a doctor. (This does not allow dessert or seconds or large meals-see yourself as fasting between the required small portions).
4- Recognize the power of admitting mistakes. It takes a self-confident person to admit wrong-doing and to own up to mistakes.
5- Apologize wholeheartedly to someone whom you love for a wrong you have done. Do not make excuses. Accept responsibility. It will change you for the better!
6- Admit in your own mind a wrong done, that most probably nobody else knows, but haunts you. Admit your wrong before God and ask for the strength to overcome the tendency to repeat this deed. This is the essence of Teshuvah - repentance. (It's private! Only you and God know about it!).
P.S. We Jews do this soul-searching collectively so as not to point fingers. All of us have room for improvement. The entire public liturgy seeking forgiveness is written as "We have erred..." and "Our transgressions..." We are all one community trying to improve ourselves!
Blessings of forgiveness to us all! A sweet and fulfilling 5776 to all!
G’mar Chatimah Tovah- May you all be sealed for goodness!
Rabbi Steve Silberman
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