A brief primer

• Rosh HaShana (literally: head of the year). begins with sunset, the first of Tishrei—this year, 6:51 P.M., Wednesday, October 2nd—with the sounding of the shofar (ram’s horn)
• The ten days that follow are known as The High Holy Days or Yamim Nora’im (literally: Days of Awe)
• Seeking forgiveness. During these days we seek out people who we might have wronged and ask them for forgiveness. (Hey, {{ subscriber.name }} did I hurt you? Want to tell me about it so that I can try to make amends?)
• Yom Kippur (literally: Day of Attonement/Cleansing) is an especially solemn day, considered a rehearsal for one’s own death — traditions include a confession of sin, fasting, wearing white, and avoiding leather.  
• Sin? The common Jewish notion is that of a bullseye target which we intend to hit, but miss. A collective confessional of sins underscores the communal aspect of our shortcomings—that if any one of us has erred, we all have
• Forgiveness. Yom Kippur’s magic of sin forgiveness is said to only work for sins between a person and themselves (and/or) God. (For our shortcomings with another person, see “Seeking forgiveness” above—we must do those ourselves.)
• Greetings
  •  Shanah Tovah (U’me’tukah). A greeting for Rosh Hashanah. “May you have a good (and sweet) new year”
  • G’mar Chatimah (Tovah): A greeting for Yom Kippur (literally:  A (good) final sealing) meaning, “May you be sealed in the Book of Life”
• Try some of the above. Or don’t. Do what works for you. 

Happy Holidays.

💙 Rabbi Brian