Celebrating Yom Kippur
On Monday, September 25th, longtime 海角论坛 faculty member Ellen Meranze spoke during morning chapel in Fuller Hall about the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. Ms. Meranze teaches in the Languages Department and in the Capstone program, and this quarter has taught a popular 鈥淴-block鈥� class in American Sign Language. 听
On Rosh Hashanah, it is written. On Yom Kippur, it is sealed.听
Good morning. Last night at sundown began the highest of the听high holy days for Jewish people around the world: Yom Kippur,听the day of atonement. Today is the culmination of what began 10听days ago on Rosh Hashanah. Then we started the celebration and preparations for the year 5784 in the Gregorian calendar.听
Since Rosh Hashanah, we have been thinking carefully about听the previous year. We have asked for forgiveness from those we听may have wronged. We have asked those we have helped to听know that we wish that we could have done more. We have asked听those we have neglected for their understanding, and we have听thanked those who have helped us. Today, we look forward. We听fast to keep our minds focused on our thinking. We imagine a听better year and our promises being sealed into the Book of Life.听听
At sundown, as a celebration of the work and thinking that we听have done, we feast. Many will eat honeycakes to symbolize the wish for a sweet year. Parents will bless their children.听Today, many will spend the day at the Synagogue participating in听services heaped with tradition, joy, gratitude, and humility.听Services will end with joyful songs of hope and food.
I have chosen to spend part of my day here with you. You are the听reason that I am both grateful and humble. You are my teachers,听reminding me that there is always more we can do for others and听that there is always more to learn. Later today, I will attend听services, sing with joy, and break the fast! I will celebrate the听year to come with hope for all who are part of my life!
On Rosh Hashanah, we say, 鈥淟鈥橲hanah Tova,鈥� which means 鈥淗ave a good year.鈥� Today, we say 鈥淕鈥橫ar Tova,鈥� which roughly translates to 鈥渁 good seal,鈥� as in being sealed into the Book of Life.听And so today, I wish all of you a joyful day! I hope that each of听you can celebrate all you have done and all you hope to do to听make this year one full of hope, joy, humility, and gratitude.听
Remember that we are all both teachers and learners, and there is always more to learn and to give.
Thank you.
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