Local rabbi sheds light on Jewish high holidays ‘A Jew may love God, or a Jew may battle God, but a Jew may not

Local rabbi sheds light on Jewish high holidays
‘A Jew may love God, or a Jew may battle God, but a Jew may not

ignore God.’

—Elie Weisel

By Rabbi Lynne Kern

The period of time from Rosh Hashana to Yom Kippur is known as Aseret Yamai T’shuvah, the Ten Days of Penitence. This name appears in sources from the Land of Israel, including the Jerusalem Talmud.

The concept of these days as a special unit of time in the Jewish year, dates at least to the third century B.C.E.

Rabbi Yohanan, who lived in Israel during that period, describes his conception of divine judgment and inscription in this season:

Three books are opened in heaven on Rosh Hashanah, one for the completely wicked, one for the completely righteous, and one for those in between. The completely righteous are immediately inscribed in the book of life. The completely wicked are immediately inscribed in the book of death. The fate of those in between is suspended until Yom Kippur. If they do well, they are inscribed in the book of life. If not, in the book of death (b. Rosh Hashana 16 b).

These 10 days are seen as an opportunity for change. In the poem, in the Jewish prayer book called U-netanah Tokef, we are given the chance to "avert the severe decree." How? The requirements for repentance include a change of mind, a feeling of regret, and a determination to change, along with an effort to repair the effects of one’s misdeed. Tshuvah, tzedakha and tefillah: "turning," "giving" and "praying": these are the columns upon which we try to stand each year in an effort to renew, rebuild, rethink, redo, and realize.

The Psalmist cries, "Seek peace and pursue it." The commentator teaches, "Seek peace/wholeness/well-being within yourself and your home first, then pursue peace elsewhere." This year, especially in light of what is going on in the world, the Jewish new year offers a carved-out block of time to put our own houses in order.

To help the congregants of Temple Beth Haverim begin this process, Rabbi Lynne Kern has created a T’shuvah journal which offers people a chance to spend some time each day either thinking or writing about all of the above by using pieces of prayers, poems, philosophy and commentary as prompts for thought.

The journal is available to the community at large by calling Temple Beth Haverim’s main office at (818) 991-7111 and requesting a copy. You can use the homilies to inspire or begin, or just write about whatever comes to mind about the ideas embodied in this most sacred period of reflection.