On Sunday night we will reach the climax of the 40-day period
that started with the new month of Elul and ends with
the holiest day of the year, Yom Kippur.
It is a time to deeply introspect,
to dig deep and to learn to be alone with oneself.
It is a month of answering God's call,
"Where are you?"
We are given an opportunity
to be really honest and vulnerable and declare,
"Here I am!"
with all my imperfections, and fallibilities.
On every other day of the year, I can hide.
Then comes this magnificent day of Yom Kippur when
we are fully exposed, with no ability to hide.
We stand to attention, wearing white like the dead,
not eating, drinking or engaging in intimate relationships.
I am showing up.
I'm remorseful because I'm not who I could be,
not who I want to be, not who I have the potential to be.
Nonetheless I'm here committing to the work of self-improvement.
We try to rise above the mundane and
let our souls lead the way.
We become that breath of Gd from on high.
On Yom Kippur
God wipes us clean and
gives us the gift of a fresh start.
God purifies us from all our imperfections and
on this holy day we ARE perfect.
We are as pure as we can possibly be.
By the end of this most glorious day,
we are exuberant, connected, spiritually high, cleansed.
On Yom Kippur I am a soul connected to its Creator.
I am deeply and permanently in relationship to
the Source of everything.
We bask in God's light and love.
I pray for a year ahead filled with light and love.
I pray that we all experience a year filled with sweet blessings,
of good health, of peace and of wholeness.
Much love, Elissa
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