The 25 hours of Fasting are over. Hopefully, Fast and Prayer have got me a good final sealing in the Book of Life for the New Year.
The Book of Life contains the fate of every sinner. On the jewish New Year (Rosh Hashana) the fate is inscribed, ten days later , on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) it is sealed. Between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, people have a chance to change their fate if they repent, pray, ask forgiveness.
Yom Kippur is the most sacred of the jewish holidays. It's also a day of Fear - fear of the finalization of the heavenly verdict passed on Rosh Hashana. G'mar Chatima Tova! meaning: a Good Final Sealing , is the customary greeting used among people between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.
I believe the Book of Life is part of God's greater book, that of the Creation, its order and rules. Sadly, Man has constantly violated these rules, in the name of progress and evolution, and we see the result - we live in a scary and unpredictable world.
In the book of the Creation there are answers and solutions.
Man prefers and expects... politicians to offer answers and solve problems.
I have been thinking a lot about these things, sin, repentance, and forgiveness, these past few days. I feel like I accidentally observed Yom Kippur. It has been painful. Is it supposed to be painful? Something tells me no.
ReplyDeleteThis is powerful:
"In the book of the Creation there are answers and solutions. Man prefers and expects... politicians to offer answers and solve problems."
Observing Yom Kippur, and the things that go with it, are not painful.
ReplyDeleteFasting is not easy, but with the right pre-Fast formula, that is, light meals, no condiments, plenty of water, it causes no special difficulty.
Yes, I agree, the quote is powerful and..true. After all, politicians are like us sinners. Why do we expect of them so much? And all the quarrels and debates - who's better to "lead" the country; I find that sad and even ridiculous.
Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Christine.
DeleteThank you for writing of this. It is really interesting.
ReplyDeletethank you for reading and leaving a comment. Glad you find it interesting.
DeleteI read an article a few years back about Yom Kippur and for lack of a better word how the service is conducted at the synagogue for it. It was very fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI like the quote "In the book of the Creation there are answers and solutions. Man prefers and expects... politicians to offer answers and solve problems." It is a very powerfully true one. I wish more people would read the book. And you are right we are living in a scary and unpredictable world.
betty
I do things at home. At the synagogue the service is far more elaborate, but, over the years, I lost faith in organized religion, and estranged myself from it.
DeleteBy the Book of the Creation, I mean The Bible and/or the somewhat mystical "Sefer Yetzira",which according to various sources, was written by the biblical patriarch Abraham, and devoted to speculations concerned with God's creation of the world.
I hope all goes well for you, DUTA...may only positivity and good things come your way. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lee.
DeleteWishing you the same!
Thank you for letting us know the purpose and meaning of these holy days in your religion. I get a sense of ancient wisdom. Better to listen to and learn from than any of our modern leaders.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Inger. I definitely agree with you, that the wisdom of our ancestors is often preferable to that of our modern politicians.
DeleteHi Duta, Sounds like you had a meaningful holiday and glad the fast went well. I also pray for your good sealing and have had you in my prayers this year and will continue to! I love you and wish all the best for you!!! I also agree about the reliance people put on man and man`s agencies. I actually wrote an letter to the editor recently on just that, that made it into my alumni magazine entitled `God Controls the climate` and was amazed it made it in!! I would like to show it to you, but not sure how I can send it!! Anyway, just reminded me of that, and now may we enter the new year with gladness!! ♡
ReplyDeleteGod controls the climate, God controls the virus, but we're in the minority with these beliefs, Shayndel.
DeleteMost people want to believe that it is Trump, Biden, Macron, Putin, and the rest of them that control everything.
Thanks a lot for your prayers and love for me.
All the very Best to you!
Thank you Duta.
DeleteThis morning I was just reading in the book of Isaiah and this verse popped out at me!! I wrote it down in my notebook `for Duta` as it recalled this post and what you wrote in the last paragraphs,
"Stop trusting in mankind-whose breath is in his nose--
for what is he really worth?"
Isaiah 2:22
♡
Clever prophet! and clever you, Shayndel for making the connection with my last paragraphs!
DeleteIsaiah's verse says: Trust God, not a fellow human being who's weak and mortal.
This applies to an earthly government as well, which is temporary and will fade into oblivion.
Thank you Duta for your reply. Clever prophet, yes I would agree. Its funny I never noticed that verse before, so I thank you for helping me be more keen to notice something in the scriptures that I hadn`t seen before.
DeleteYou are clever, too Shayndel dear. The way you see and connect things is one of a wise person.
DeleteGod has blessed you with a lot: you're young, beautiful, talented and intelligent.
Interesting to read as it helps me to understand.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
I'm glad it helps people of other religions understand the importance of our High Holidays and their meaning to our people.
DeleteSuch an important history and religious post and yet very relevant of what is happening tonight in the states with our presidential debate, as well. I am not sure what to expect from the debate. But I am hoping someone will be blessed with good news that we need to hear. I have to say it is frightening each and every day these days. Thank you so much for the post.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that you see the connection and relevance between my historical/religious post and the presidential debate in your country tonight. Hopefully, there will be some good news during this debate.
DeleteNpbody will ever know the original of the Tora our bible ! It has been translated so many times and probably each translator has some mistakes ! I have been a translator and I have seen some texts they had not very much to do with the original !
ReplyDeleteHow do they say in german? Ubersetzt und verbessert (translated and improved).
DeleteWell, actually I think the facts are probably correct in any translation; it's the things around the facts that might get distorted or misinterpreted.
That was so interesting to read! I love to know more about religions. Thank you for sharing and stay safe and healthy everyone!
ReplyDeleteReligion is not something we can ignore or totally ignore, as we see how helpless we are. Lots of talk on climate change, lots of theories on the virus, but we know deep down that only a super-power (call it God,Universe, Nature) could save us.
DeleteI love this post because I learned so very much. Thank you for explaining the holy days in such an understandable way. I knew the short term -- New Year, Day of Atonement. Now I know much more.
ReplyDeleteKnowledge and understanding are important. The more one knows and understands, the better. Knowledge is Power, they say.
DeleteNow, you know also the hebrew names of the two major holidays: Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur. I like that.
Only God can save us; that's for sure. Blessings to you and much joy too.
ReplyDeleteThat's the ultimate truth: God is the Savior.
DeleteBlessings and hugs to you!
True.
ReplyDeleteYou mean the last two paragraphs of my post? Well, then I must agree with you, and hope others will agree with us too.
ReplyDeleteGlad that your fasting is over, Duta, and I also hope all good things for you, especially as you wrote " a good final sealing in the Book of Life for the New Year." And that is also a good wish for many others, even those of us who are not of the Jewish faith.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the good wishes.
DeleteThe Day Of Atonement is a day of awe, fast, and prayer, and we're glad when it's over, hoping indeed for a good sealing in the Book of Life.
Very onformative post about your traditions. I agree, no amtter which of us thinks we are in charge or who we think of as in charge, God is our higher authority. Mankind has drifted so far in search of everything God can provide. I so enjoy your posts.
ReplyDeleteMankind pays a heavy price for violating God's authority. Climate change and the corona virus are only two of the punishments.
DeleteThanks, Linda, for your kind words.
Many of us often fight it, myself included, but ultimately God is always in charge. Hugs, RO
ReplyDeleteNo doubt about that. Why fight it?!
DeleteI'm not religious but thank you for letting us know about some of your traditions. It's interesting to learn about how others see things.
ReplyDeleteןndeed, Mary. One doesn't have to be religious in order to take interest in various traditions. Human curiosity leads us to them all.
DeleteI too say thank you for sharing this information.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
You're welcome, Jan.
DeleteThanks for reading this post; its subject is of great importance to me.
It sure is. I can say for myself that I'm always interested in traditions and customs of other nations. It enriches one's knowledge and widens one's horizon.
ReplyDelete