Jewish Holidays

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The feeling of touching spiritual heights is captured in Yoram Raanan’s painting Ascendance, where the figures seem to be ascending to a more spiritual plane with joy and ecstasy. 

Perhaps some of the prayers during this Yom Kippur can help us to not only to reflect on our lives but also to take actions in the year ahead that will help heal the world.

In the evolution of Judaism, the emergence of citing “And Moses declared…” on festival mornings as a preface to the blessing over the wine is cloudy.

When we enter the sukkah, we are called upon to remember that our well-being – health, relationships, sustenance – is a gift from God.

Rabbi Michael Rosensweig frames Jewish practice as the source for insight, repentance

The “natural” symbolism of the Four Species illustrates that natural human goodness is an expression of the divine, even when it isn’t accompanied by full religious commitment.

The Four Species refers to lulav (palm branch), hadas (myrtle), arava (willow), and etrog (citron).

Barring an extreme sadomasochist personality, how could knowing one’s life is on the line make this day not only happy – but the happiest day of the year?

For me, descending directly from the generations that had to make vows to another religion in order to survive, Kol Nidre became a beacon of light during a very dark time.