Monday, September 28, 2020
An apology
As some long-time readers of this blog may already know, each year between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur I make an effort to apologize to everyone I know for any hurt I may have caused them during the past year and to forgive anyone for any wrongs that they might have done to me.
When possible, I try to do this in person, but most often I either send out a mass e-mail or post it here for everyone to read.
Not because I was feeling arrogant and stiff-necked as to
claim that I was perfect and have not sinned, when that’s clearly not the case.
Like everyone else, I admit that I am imperfect, have gone astray and have
sinned and transgressed.
It’s just that with
everything going on in the world this year, I wasn’t feeling in the spirit of
the Jewish High Holidays. The pandemic, the social turmoil, and the bitter political
atmosphere has left me feeling kind of numb. It seemed the best thing I could
do was remain passive and like current events, let these holidays wash over me,
until the tides change and better times return.
Then last night, while attending virtual services on my
laptop, something changed. We came to a part in the liturgy that seemed custom written
for 2020 even though it has been in Kol Nidre (the evening Yom Kippur service)
for as long as I can remember. Suddenly, I knew I needed to share it with you
all.
So as well as extending to you all my apologies and
forgiveness ask you to take the following words to heart:
Oh source of mercy, give us the grace to show forbearance to those who offend against us. When the wrongs and injustice of others wound us, may our hearts not despair of human good. May no trial, however server, embitter our souls and destroy our trust. When beset by trouble and sorrow, our mothers and fathers put on the armor of faith and fortitude. May we too find strength to meet adversity with quiet courage and unshaken will. Help us to understand that injustice and hate will not forever afflict the human race; that righteousness and mercy will triumph in the end.
My sincerest hope is that if we all take these words to
heart, act on these sentiments and make peace with those who don’t share our
views something good may come out of what’s turned out to be a horrible year.
Then maybe we all can be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life for a new
year filled with blessings and happiness.
