In earlier times, the Temple service for Yom Kippur was conducted by the Kohen Gadol, or High Priest. Those who study the Machzor of Yom Kippur can read about the many rituals and procedures that were part of that once-a-year service. The Torah addresses the atonement associated with the Day of Atonement, and describes how the Kohen Gadol would atone for himself, his household, and the entire Jewish nation.
Our prayers and practices on these Yamim Noraim require perspective. With so much happening in our world, so many stresses, dangers, and worries, it should be easy to use these days to turn to Hashem with our pleas and supplications, yet many of us succumb to the season’s intensity by “numbing out,” by becoming temporarily disconnected from our feelings and experiences. When this happens, the ten days of repentance can pass by in a haze, disrupting our schedules with the increased daily prayers, early schedule, and an overall feeling of being less rested—feeling the awe of the Yamim Noraim in occasionally uncomfortable ways.
What is the focus of our Machzor-based service? Do we remember the plight of Eretz Yisrael and what is occurring there? Do we think about the future of Eretz Yisrael and what that future may hold for us? Are we considerate of the plight of our fellow Jews locally and across the globe? Do we focus on health, finances, and personal goals? Ideally, each one of us prays for whatever is important to us, and each one longs for a sweet and safe new year. But Yom Kippur offers us something additional: atonement. What renders this day the most holy of all, the Shabbos Shabbason, is the chance for true atonement.
Atonement means that when we take an honest assessment of our lives, we will form a candid self-image, which may include some of our flaws and shortcomings. As we reflect on the ways we behave, the reactions we have to others, the quality of our relationships, or the lack of same, our investment in or our estrangement from the spiritual experience, we hopefully seek to refine our behavior and hopefully change for the better. Atonement in this sense means attaining forgiveness for our past difficulties and the Divine go-ahead to try again.
Ramban, the great Spanish Torah scholar of the 13th century, wrote that of all Maimonides’ works, the most masterful was his Hilchos Teshuvah, the laws pertaining to repentance. Ramban noted that nowhere in the Talmud or Midrash is there a tractate or volume devoted to teshuvah. Maimonides combed through all the early Rabbinic Torah literature, culling from here and from there a postulate, a concept, a rule, and then formulating them into a halachic code with a protocol for each person to incorporate changes so as to seek atonement. There is a science to that process with precise, exacting steps to follow. The Torah, according to Maimonides, prescribes the procedure for change and forgiveness.
Part of that process is highly subjective; which means, each person must delve into their own heart and soul to scour away their loathsome habits and pernicious patterns. But following the paradigm of the Kohen Gadol, atonement requires an even broader perspective. One should also seek to atone for the errors of one’s household. We have an impact on how our spouses and children evolve as human beings. We teach by example, and our household learns from our reactions, moods, behavior, and attitudes. Yom Kippur is about atonement, and this includes the atonement we seek for inadvertently causing our family members to struggle.
Each one of us is also part of the collective entity known as the Jewish people. A candid appraisal of self will expose the roles in which we are identified as members of the Jewish people, including how we reflect Orthodox Judaism to those around us. We should use these days to scrutinize our values and actions to make sure we are perceived as honest, dependable, and compassionate. To the degree that we fall short in our role as a representative of Jewish values and standards, there is room for atonement.
Life is about growth and change. This time of year, we have the opportunity to continue growing in mind and soul, and to implement changes of attitude and conduct. Atonement really does begin with attunement. G’mar chatima tova. n
Rabbi Dr. Dovid Fox is a forensic and clinical psychologist, and director of Chai Lifeline Crisis Services. To contact Chai Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis helpline, call 855-3-CRISIS or email crisis@chailifeline.org. Learn more at www.chailifeline.org/crisis.
