A Jewish celebration of almost six millennia

The months are calculated according to the laws and traditions of the Talmud. On Tuesday, Sept. 30, Jews celebrated their new year, Rosh Hashanah. At this time, the Jewish faith says God judges them individually for their deeds and makes a decree for the following year.

Last Thursday, Oct. 9, was Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the holiest and most solemn day of the Jewish year. Sukkot followed this on Tuesday, and next Tuesday is Shemini Atzeret. Wednesday is Simchat Torah.

In Jewish tradition, God is written as YHWH, translated as Yahweh, and for tabuistic reasons is replaced with El or Elohim in the writings and Adonai ‘Lord’ in liturgy. The holiday traditions encourage Jews to actively seek ways to reconcile and build peace in their communities.

These few weeks are a celebration of 6,000 years of history, a time when those who live this faith seek to make peace with their transgressions, celebrate their history, honour their ancestors and observe the traditions as written in their holy books.

Digby has a very small Jewish community, but it would be interesting if we all sought to understand these rituals, particularly Yom Kippur. It is the tenth and final day of repentance, which started at the New Year. It is a time to make peace with God and man. Yom Kippur teaches that we merit forgiveness and mercy through repentance, acts of kindness, fellowship and charity.

Who were are and what we will be is rooted in our history. Many of us have made peace with our collective pasts, but some still have a long way to go in seeking to understand why some of us think as we do, act as we do and say what we say. I have been particularly annoyed of late with some folks who for whatever reason cannot agree to disagree and insist on attacking from every angle any positive or forward thinking enterprise that is attempted.

We are in the middle of two election campaigns. By the time this is published, the federal contest will have been decided and the municipal elections are on Saturday. Emotions run deep in such contests and there will be a need for reconciliation and atonement. There will be some, however, who will never seek this peace. I find that unfortunate, as they will never be happy. As humans we have the ability to choose to do what is right and to train the ‘animal soul’ to be a mentch—a ‘good person’. It’s too bad some do not seek this opportunity.

We have come a long way in trying to understand the perspectives of others and although a few will be left behind in their tirade of hate and misinformation, I would hope that the majority can rise above this and find common ground in which we can build a future that will benefit all regardless of race, ethnic origin, religion or political constructs.

To my Jewish friends, Yasher koach (strength), l’chayim (to life) and shalom (peace) in this holiday season.