Every few years, I write a post about Rosh Hashanah or Hanukkah featuring various videos to celebrate the new year (like I did last week) or the festival of lights. I don't typically write about Yom Kippur though. Well, except for the time that Train had a song where Patrick Monahan sang "How could you leave on Yom Kippur?" That remains one of the strangest lines in pop music this century. (I could share my thoughts about Train right now, but that would be totally off topic. And at a time where I'm asking for forgiveness, I probably don't want to insult Train.)
Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, is the holiest day of the Jewish year. It's a day where people 13 and older don't eat or drink from sundown to sundown. (There are obviously exceptions for those who are sick, pregnant, or unable to fast.) You spend much of the time in synagogue praying, you don't work, and you refrain from sexual activity. Traditionally, you don't bathe or wash, put on perfume or lotions, or wear leather shoes. The leather shoes thing has bothered me for years. In the old days, leather shoes were considered a luxury, which is part of the reason why you're supposed to wear sneakers or sandals instead. For me, I'd much rather wear sneakers than leather shoes as they are more comfortable, so I continue to wear leather shoes. Of course, since I'm doing services from home this year, there is no debate for me. I'm wearing only socks. Problem solved!
The services at home thing really isn't new for me anymore. I've been doing them since March. What is new is that Yom Kippur is the only day of the year where I don't watch TV, I don't turn on the radio or listen to music, and I don't use my computer or phone. This year, I'll have to turn on the computer to participate in services.
During Yom Kippur, there is a memorial service called Yizkor. With my dad passing away earlier this year, this will be the first time I'll participate in Yizkor during Yom Kippur. I suspect that it will be less emotional being at home instead of in the same room as others thinking of their loved ones.
We often host a "break fast" gathering at our house with friends and family with bagels, cream cheese, lox and more. I'll definitely miss that this year.
So it turns out that there is one (just one) amusing Yom Kippur, so I'll share it here.
If you're observing Yom Kippur, have an easy fast and a meaningful day.
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