Today is Yom Kippur and this is a beautiful message: ‘Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy.’ -Rabbi Abraham Heschel. There is a nice free image to remind us in this moment that we can always give love at: https://www.uua.org/beliefs/what-we-believe/principles/1st
It has been shared that, "Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, is considered the holiest day of the year for people who practice Judaism. The holiday technically spans two calendar days, because the Jewish calendar is lunar. Days are marked sunset to sunset. This year, it begins at sunset on September 24 and continues until the evening of September 25. Yom Kippur concludes a 10-day period known as the "Days of Awe" that begins with the Jewish New Year, which is called Rosh Hashanah. Jews around the world are to face their misdeeds and sins over the year through worship and prayer so that they may atone for their wrongdoings. With fear and wonder in facing God's judgment, Jews seek forgiveness. In doing so, people are called to self-reflect on their failings and flaws. No matter how you spend the day, it's a time to atone in your own way, whether in a synagogue or at home. Synagogues hold religious services throughout the day for practicing Jews to come pray introspectively, either asking for forgiveness or expressing regret of sins committed in the past year. Once you atone, it's thought to be starting the Jewish new year with a "clean slate," absolved of past transgressions. According to tradition and lore, the origins of Yom Kippur can be traced to Moses' leading the ancient Israelites out of slavery, as described in the book of Exodus. He led them to Mount Sinai, where Moses himself went up the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments from God. Upon returning with the tablets, he found that his people were worshiping a false idol, a Golden Calf. Moses destroyed the tablets in anger, but the people atoned for their sin, so God forgave them. Most observant Jews also fast from sunset to sunset on the holiday, abstaining from food and water. More observant members go beyond fasting and will also abstain from bathing, wearing leather shoes, indulging in perfumes or lotions, and marital relations. Abstinence from earthly and material activities – to whatever degree performed – symbolizes a cleansing of the spirit so that one's commitment toward repentance is true and pure. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. Children (usually under the age of 13) are not required to fast. The sick and the elderly are exempted as well. Pregnant and breastfeeding women can also skip the fast if they feel so inclined, citing legitimate medical reasons. This isn't a time for true punishment, but rather a time for uninterrupted reflection. After a day of repentance and reflection, it is customary to have a meal to "break the fast." Families, congregants and friends gather to eat together at sundown, which signals the end of the holiday. In North America, the typical break fast cuisine stems from Jewish deli fare: Bagels, lox, schmears and all the fixings. And don't forget the coffee cake or Jewish apple cake for dessert. If you're not Jewish, and you want to send your well wishes to people who do celebrate Yom Kippur, the typical greeting is, "Have an easy fast." Or you can say, "Have a good fast." Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/what-is-yom-kippur-meaning-judaism/
There are three colouring pages, for free, at: https://www.chabad.org/kids/article_cdo/aid/361493/jewish/Coloring-Pages.htm I tried to draw one about the Shofar because that is how Yom Kippar comes to a close. I drew as best I could and Barron coloured it:
Interested in knowing the sound of a Shofar, then enjoy this: https://youtu.be/RyqYXtX1lD4?si=u555DxxuoUSYjrfX
Why do we blow it, to humble us, "The blowing of the shofar at the conclusion of Yom Kippur is the culmination of a day spent fasting and praying for a sweet new year. There are a number of reasons given for blowing the shofar at this time. Here are some of them: Back in Temple times, they would blow the shofar on the Yom Kippur that ushered in the Jubilee (fiftieth) year.1 That shofar blast would signal that all slaves were free to go, and all properties would return to their original owners.2 Now there is no Jubilee, but we still blow the shofar every Yom Kippur to commemorate what once was, and to express our hopes for the future. Additionally, the shofar blast signifies that now, at the conclusion of Yom Kippur, our souls are “freed” from their sins. By the time Yom Kippur draws to a close, we are certain that we’ve been granted a sweet year. Like soldiers returning triumphant in battle, we blow the shofar to celebrate our victory over the prosecuting angel, a.k.a. the Satan. This blowing of the shofar has the added value that it “confounds” the Satan as he prepares to resume his “regular job,” since it sounds uncannily similar to the great shofar that will herald the final redemption and put him “out of business” for good. The Ascension of the Divine Presence: When G‑d gave us the Torah, His divine presence rested upon the mountain. Afterward, a shofar blast heralded the ascent of the divine presence, the Shechinah. This is reflected in the verse in Psalms that states, “G‑d ascends with a teruah [sound of the shofar].”5 Similarly, following the closeness with G‑d we’ve experienced over Yom Kippur, the shofar blast symbolizes the ascent of the divine presence, which has rested upon us throughout the day. Tie to Celebrate the Holiday. It’s been an otherworldly experience, and now we’ve come out the other end. The blowing of the shofar publicizes to all that the evening following Yom Kippur is a holiday, and it is now time to celebrate the closeness we’ve achieved and the forgiveness we’ve secured during this awesome day. Indeed, it is a widespread custom to wish people “Good Yom Tov” (“Happy Holiday”) following Yom Kippur for this very reason. May we all be sealed for a sweet new year! " Source: https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3061833/jewish/Why-Blow-Shofar-Following-Neilah-After-Yom-Kippur.htm
Good Yom Tov - “Happy Holiday!”
