Despite a constitutional resistance to using superlatives, in this case, the use of two in a single line is not only justified but holds the key to understanding the most common practice connected to Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement. And its popularity is not even limited to Jews.
Called the Sabbath of Sabbaths by the Hebrew bible, Yom Kippur is often labeled the holiest day of the year. But it’s most popular ritual is not going to the synagogue, it’s not fasting, and it’s not hearing the final blast of the ram’s horn which ends the tens days of repentance in the Hebrew calendar. The most popular and I believe holiest moment of the holiday occurs when friends and family gather, as they will all across the world this Saturday night, to break the fast with a joyous feast, even with those who have not been fasting!
Why do so many people eagerly attend a break fast meal, even if they have not observed the fast itself or any of the other holiday traditions? It’s not simply because they are looking for a free bagel with lox and cream cheese. They are drawn by a wonderful intuition tapping directly into the spiritual message of Yom Kippur. They are there because they know what so few are taught by most religious leaders, that Yom Kippur is a joyous day which reminds us that any God worthy of our belief loves us unconditionally, is ready to forgive any wrongdoing doing, and always offers another chance.
Traditional practice of the day’s restrictions – no food, drink, bathing, lovemaking, or work, spent largely in prayer and meditation, wrapped in white robes and prayer shawls reminiscent of how angels are commonly pictured – reflect a kind of mini-death from which one emerges born again into a new year and a fresh start. The break fast celebrates our return to our selves, to our bodies, to our daily lives, and reminds us that they are all sacred, worthy of celebration and filled with potential. It is for that awareness that we have been practicing for the past long day. We literally leave our lives behind for twenty four hours so that we can pick them up again with new hope and confidence for the year ahead.
In my home, we return from the synagogue often joined by many who have not been at all, and together raise a glass (and a bagel) shouting l’chaim, to life! And if that is not the holiest moment of the holiest day, then I don’t know what is.
Rabbi Brad Hirschfield is the author of the forthcoming book, "You Don't Have To Be Wrong For Me To Be Right: Finding Faith Without Fanaticism" (Harmony, Jan. 2008), and President of CLAL--The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership.
