A Yom Kippur Reminder
October 6, 2011Dear Congregants
Tomorrow evening we begin the observance of the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur. This year, the concurrence of Yom Kippur with Shabbat amplifies that holiness. Services begin tomorrow evening at 6 pm, candlelighting is at 6:11 pm. We will start with mincha, so you should have time to light candles at home and arrive in time for Kol Nidre.
Services on Shabbat begin at 8 am, with Yizkor scheduled for approximately 11 am. Mincha in the afternoon begins promptly at 5 pm and we expect to sound the Shofar concluding Yom Kippur at 7:15 pm.
Hopefully, we have all made amends with our fellow human beings who we may have hurt this year. We are ready to stand before God and seek forgiveness for sins committed overtly or covertly through our action or inaction. In addition to fasting from sundown to sundown, our tradition asks that we refrain from bathing or annointing, avoid wearing leather items, and focus our attention exclusively on our relationship to God. May our observance of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, bring us closer to God, closer to our fellow human beings and closer to living out the ideals for which we strive. Easy fast for those who are able and g'mar chatimah tovah - a good conclusion and sealing in the Book of Life.
Rabbi Art Vernon
Posted by JCC West Hempstead. Posted In : Holidays
Words of wisdom, comfort and learning from the beloved Rabbi of the Jewish Community Center of West Hempstead.
Selected sermons, lectures, readings and discussions as compiled and, on occasion, edited for the website.
