The very essence of the expression "to
pray" in Hebrew means to judge oneself. Especially during the solemn Days
of Awe the Jew is expected to undergo a rigid self-examination. He should train
himself to look inwardly, to ask himself basic questions: Where have I sinned?
Have I lived selfishly during the past year? Have I shirked my moral
responsibility to myself and my fellow man?"
-from
The Language of Judaism
There is a wonderful
Hebrew-Yiddish phrase, heshbon ha-nefesh. The phrase connotes a taking stock of
one's soul, an inner accounting, a sitting-in-judgment upon oneself. As we make
our heshbon ha-nefesh we confess our failure to span the gap between conscience
and conduct, between the standards we profess and the actions we perform. We
remember what we should have done and did not do. This chasm between believing
and living may or may not always be surmountable, but the refusal to try to
span it is sin and the will to bridge it, at least to narrow it, is atonement
and redemption. Sin is the gap between our promise and our conduct, between our
standards and our actions.
-Kvutzat Yovel
Tashlich.
Tonight, the Workshoppers have the option of attending a synagogue for Kol Nidrei or participating in alternative services run by their madrichim (counselors). Tonight, they will be going on a late-night walk through the city to experience Jerusalem in its Yom Kippur quiet. Tomorrow, there again will be the option for services at a synagogue or with their madrichim, as well as some guided reflections, optional learning and a retelling of the Jonah story.
Additionally, here are some pictures from the end of the time at Ravid.
Some group bonding time!
A little kibbutz avodah.
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