A powerful collection of writings about Yom Kippur that will add spiritual depth and holiness to your experience of the Day of Atonement.
As Rosh Hashanah ends and you look ahead to Yom Kippur, what do you think about? The familiar melody of Kol Nidre? The long hours of fasting? The days of self-examination? You know that the Day of Atonement is the holiest on the Jewish calendar, but sometimes it just feels long, tiresome and devoid of personal meaning. The readings in this book are for anyone seeking a deeper level of personal reflection and spiritual intimacy—and a clearer understanding of just what makes Yom Kippur so holy.
Drawn from a variety of sources—ancient, medieval, modern, Jewish and non-Jewish—this selection of readings, prayers and insights explores the opportunities for inspiration and reflection inherent in the themes addressed on the Day of Atonement: sin, forgiveness, repentance, spiritual growth, and being at one with self, family, community and God. These readings enable you to enter into the spirit of Yom Kippur in a personal and powerful way while they uplift and inform. They will add to the benefits of your High Holy Day experience year after year.
Зміст
Acknowledgments xvii
Introduction xix
First Reflections 1
Kol Nidre—Our Vows and Promises 15
Sin 27
Forgiveness 63
Hear, O Israel: God, Love and Learning 85
Avinu Malkenu 105
Roots and Themes from the Torah 111
T’shuvah, T’fillah, T’zedakkah (Repentance, Prayer and Acts of
Righteousness) 145
Faith and Beliefs 171
Yizkor—In Memoriam 183
Martyrology 203
The Service of the High Priest: In the Temple
Times and Today 227
Yom Kippur Customs 241
Jonah and Human Responsibility 267
Closing the Gates 287
Next Year in Jerusalem 303
Sources 313
About the Contributors 325
Credits 332
Про автора
Arthur Green, Ph D, is recognized as one of the world’s preeminent authorities on Jewish thought and spirituality. He is the Irving Brudnick professor of philosophy and religion at Hebrew College and rector of the Rabbinical School, which he founded in 2004. Professor emeritus at Brandeis University, he also taught at the University of Pennsylvania and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, where he served as dean and president.Dr. Green is author of several books including Ehyeh: A Kabbalah for Tomorrow; Seek My Face: A Jewish Mystical Theology; Your Word Is Fire: The Hasidic Masters on Contemplative Prayer; and Tormented Master: The Life and Spiritual Quest of Rabbi Nahman of Bratslav (all Jewish Lights). He is also author of Radical Judaism (Yale University Press) and co-editor of Speaking Torah: Spiritual Teachings from around the Maggid’s Table. He is long associated with the Havurah movement and a neo-Hasidic approach to Judaism.