Kol Nidre. The Day of Atonement. Shabbat Shabbaton. Whatever you want to
call it, we’re just hours away from Yom Kippur. Such a holy day…but
what exactly is this special day? No time to waste, the gates are
closing. Without further ado, here's an Idiot’s Guide to Yom Kippur for
both the hard-core repenters and the religious newbies. Let’s jump in,
leather-less feet first.
Yom Kippur is the most solemn day of the
Jewish year, which really says a lot when you consider what a gloomy
people we are. The gravity of the day comes from the central themes of
atonement and repentance, as our fates for the upcoming year are sealed.
“Who will live and who will die, who by fire, who by water.” Hey, who’s
ready for some fun? I just love an uplifting message to get me into
the holiday spirit.
Like all Jewish festivals, Yom Kippur begins
at sundown, entering this year on Friday, October 7. Interestingly
enough, the Hebrew calendar is arranged so that Yom Kippur never falls
on a Friday, Sunday, Tuesday, or Rosh Hashana.
Unlike a normal day that has four prayer services, Yom Kippur has
Maariv,
Shacharit,
Musaf,
Mincha,
Neila,
Donner, and
Blitzen. And let’s not forget the important
vidui, the public confession of sins. Don’t be bashful - none of us are perfect.
We must repent for the sins that we committed over the past year. “
Ashamnu…bagadnu…gazalnu….I unfriended my boss.” And what exactly is
Hamasnu anyway? Who the hell wants to admit they joined Hamas? I’m more of a
Fatahnu
guy myself. During the afternoon service, we read the book of Jonah
whose message is clear: Avoid large man-eating fish at all costs. And if
you do get swallowed up, make sure your smartphone has been configured
for “In-Stomach Tweeting."
Among the customs on this holiest of days are the prohibition of eating,
drinking, bathing, wearing perfumes or lotions, or engaging in marital
relations. Taking into account the absence of perfumes and bathing, this
last one can probably go without saying.
Traditionally, Yom Kippur is considered the date when Moses received the
second set of ten commandments, begging the question: “There was a
problem with the first?” I don’t know exactly what went down three
thousand years ago but if there’s ever a time not to be
shlepping
two large stone tablets, it’s probably when you haven’t eaten in 18
hours. “Hey, Big Man….can we take a rain check? I hear ya on the ‘Thou
Shalt Not Murder’ but if I don’t eat something soon, I am seriously
gonna kill somebody…”
And even if you don’t have the stamina to make it through the entire
day, you won’t want to miss Neila, the final service before the
proverbial “gates” are closed. I sure don’t want to be on the outside
looking in. The Neila service draws to a conclusion with the blowing of
the shofar, a message that not only has the holiday ended but also that
secular people can now go back to not coming to synagogue for one more
year.
While Yom Kippur is a holy day wherever you are, if you’ve never
commemorated this day in Israel, it is highly recommended. Not only will
you experience a higher level of spirituality, you’ll witness a near
absence of vehicles on the road which is probably wise considering that
five out of five doctors recommend not operating heavy machinery while
starving.
Jokes aside, I am proud to say that in the footsteps of American Jewish
sports legend Sandy Koufax, I too will not be working this year. Please,
hold the accolades. It’s the least I can do for my religion.
To all of you wherever you are, may you be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life. Gmar chatima tova!
Benji Lovitt is a stand-up comedian and writer.Tell us your story
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