By Mike Rosenberg
Time is suspended for most of the Jewish world beginning Tuesday at sundown. The Day of Atonement is the most solemn day on the Jewish calendar, but also a time of hope and even joy.
The liturgy concentrates on acknowledging how our community has fallen short of high standards, and recommitting to improve. The tradition also says Yom Kippur is an opportunity for each person to seek God’s forgiveness for shortcomings; however, forgiveness from individuals we have hurt or offended must be sought in person.
The intensity of Yom Kippur — 25 hours of fasting, introspection, study and prayer — is designed to forge nothing less than a new person. And ideally it inspires us to renew that process not just once a year, but constantly. It’s like the T-shirt I used to see at football practice — “Better Every Day.”
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