Yom Kippur 2007

On Friday night, September 21st, 2007, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar arrives. It is Yom Kippur.

During the day on Friday, I will perform the ritual of Tashlich. I will find a body of water, and toss bread into the water, which will be snatched up by cute lil duckies and fishies. As I toss the bread, I apologize for various sins. It is about casting my sins away, and then I start over sin free. I will need several loaves of bread.

Then starting at sundown I will be fasting for 24 hours. Let’s just say I will be sleeping in on Saturday the 22nd.  Then as soon as the sun goes down on Saturday night, I will gorge, and spend Sunday recovering. I might write a column on Saturday night if I am not too drained. Either way, one day of fasting a year is not a lot to ask. Ramadan is 30 days.

Yom Kippur is the day of atonement. I have made many mistakes, sinned many times, and have a list of transgressions I am not proud of. There is a time to be cavalier, such as my fake apology list.

https://tygrrrrexpress.com/2007/06/i-apologize-forwhat-am-i-supposed-to-be-sorry-for-again/

However, I mean it sincerely when I say that I do not wish God to shove a flamethrower up my rumpus. I really want to do better.

To quote John Cougar Mellencamp, in the song, “Check it out,” from the Lonesome Jubilee album, “Time to settle with my neighbor. Time to question my own behavior.”

I was going to post a list of all the things I did wrong, and how I plan to make amends, but I have decided to keep that between myself and God. It is not that I fear admitting my flaws. I am quite open about where I am deficient as a human being. It is just that even a loudmouth politico likes me needs some sincere private time with God.

I have said many things about people, and done things I wish I had not done. So for Yom Kippur, I am going to make several requests of my fellow Jews, and anybody else that wishes to atone for something.

To liberal Jews who preach tolerance and acceptance…I wish you would apologize for all the remarks you made about George W. Bush and Dick Cheney. Disagree with them all you want, but hatred is poison, and no matter how much you may hate the Iraq War, speaking ill of these men is simply wrong. I disagree with the Clintons, but refuse to bash them personally.  I did at one point. I apologized for this, and have made my peace. If one person who has maintained hatred for the Dub and the Veep gives up this hatred, the world is a better place.

To an ex-girlfriend of mine from 12 years ago…your husband is one of my closest friends, and your continued hostility towards me, which he acknowledges is undeserved, hurts him. You will be asking God for forgiveness, but you have never accepted my overtures of peace. I offered peace 12 years ago, and wonder why the USA and Russia can shake hands but you and I cannot get along. Your husband is so hurt by our not getting along, and he knows that it is one directional hostility. I again offer you a hand of peace.

To a woman I am currently getting to know very slowly, I just want you to know that you are a special human being. I hope in advance that I do not disappoint you. I genuinely respect you, and am glad we met. I will do my best to not make mistakes, but just know my heart is in the right place, even when my brain is not.

To the readers of my blog, I try to maintain a position as a moderator. I hope I contribute positively to the blogosphere, and for those who want more, I am willing to listen. This does not mean agree, but I will listen.

As for certain relatives, just please respect my wishes.

As for various Rabbis, while you have welcomed me into your homes and your hearts, some of you have political views that just do not mesh with me. I want you to accept me regardless of my views, but not despite them, because my views make me who I am. I am not the “republican Jew.” I am a Jew who happens to be a republican.

I want to go to temple without hearing about Darfur, animal rights, global warming, and other aspects of Social Justice. I am tired of being told that being politically liberal is required for being a good human being and a good Jew. I would not mind if just one Rabbi talked about the value of human life, and how our soldiers are struggling for freedom so that all religions may worship in peace.

I wish the Jewish members of Moveon, Kos, and the Huffington Post would apologize to General Petraeus. It is one thing to disagree with a man. It is another to denigrate that man. We have to respect those that disagree with us, or we lose our souls.

I pray for the good health of my parents and grandparents, and I wish that those who are in a position to visit them would simply do so. At the very least, pick up a telephone as much as possible. It is too late when people are gone to wish we had told them we loved them.

Again, it may seem strange to use a holiday about self improvement to demand more of others, but I drive myself harder than any of you can imagine. Every year I debate whether my vow should be to be more patient or less patient.

I am not a patient person, but I do not want to lower my standards either.

What I want is to be perfect, and that will never happen. However, that is no excuse to throw in the towel on trying to improve at all.

To quote the 1960s group The Animals (redone in 2003 by Santa Esmeralda), “I’m just a soul whose intentions are good…oh lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood.”

For the Jewish people of the world, a peaceful Yom Kippur to you all. For non-Jews everywhere that have goodness in your hearts, and zero malice towards another, I wish you happiness always.

eric

6 Responses to “Yom Kippur 2007”

  1. Jersey McJones says:

    Enjoy the Highest Holy Day, Eric!

    JMJ

  2. Stormwarning says:

    Just remember Eric that you can only atone when you have forgiven all others…and I by them (and by you I hope). Often I find your (attempts at) humor to be irreverent (I think its intended). But now is not the time to bicker or dicker over words.

    Shana Tova!

  3. blogmasterpg says:

    Hi, I’m blogmasterpg, your italian friend. How are you? in Italy there is coming a very important things…. In 8-09-’07 is benn V-day I wrote something about it in my blog that you link in your blog roll here: http://arcanaintellego.blogspot.com/2007/09/first-revolution-that-comes-from-web-is.html , it’s as a revolution versus all political corruption. It’s spontaneus and comes from young peoples that are around a ‘joker’ or comic (humor italian show-man call Grillo) you can read the Frillo Blog , is also in english: last week 1,500,000 persons manifested versus politicians, mafia, and corruption (are the same thi8sngs) PLEASE HELP ALL ITALIANS TO KNOW THAT THINGS TO ALL THE WORLD I fear that italian’s censored not permit to foreign journalist to sepaks about it. I’ll be grateful forever.

  4. blogmasterpg says:

    Ops mistake: GRILLO Blog. Is the blog where starts the protest. I wrote a post that put a relation between that manifestation with the first fascism manifestation, but that isn’t a bad thing. When fascism was born was a good thing; after is coming a DIABOLICAL politic: the racism, the war as politic , the violence cersus all the world didn’t think as them is coming only AFTER!!! The history of my country is not clear, but to understand it you must studied, is very complicated. Thanks for your time.

  5. Carole says:

    “To a woman I am currently getting to know very slowly….”

    Aw, g! You din’t need to mention me in your blog! Gawrsh!

    ;->

    LOL! JK, eric! Luv ya!

    C

  6. William Hampton says:

    Eric,

    Absolutely enjoy your posts……..Senator Joe Lieberman is a favorite of mine. (Even though he is a Democrat) Sen. Lieberman reminds me of President Truman…he is an American first..then a Politician. That is what every elected official should be. Get over your cold, and continue your writing.

    Bill Hampton

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.