Shedding New Light on Jewish Traditions

Invitation from Rabbi Josh

looking ahead to Yom Kippur

It was wonderful to welcome the New Year with you and to give voice to our shared hopes for opportunities and blessing in the New Year.  The time between Rosh ha-Shanah and Yom Kippur is one for solemn reflection, and even as I write my words are prompted by the white string bracelet I've been wearing around my left wrist for the past week.  The people who attended our Selichot services last Saturday night tied these simple bracelets around each other's wrists at the time we changed the Torah mantels to white - an affirmation of the potentially transformative nature of the season and of our intention to strive for change in ourselves and to support one another in our journeys.

White is a powerful symbolic color in Judaism.  It is associated with both death and renewal - themes that are central to Yom Kippur, when we abstain from the pleasures of life and seek a spiritual 'clean slate.'  You may have noticed that throughout Yom Kippur instead of wearing a suit I wear white clothing, and over the years an increasing number of fellow congregants have been joining me in this tradition. Wearing white declares our shared intention and commitment to the purpose of Yom Kippur and visually projects the connection we have to one another on the holiest of days. Walking into the sanctuary and seeing people dressed in white creates a powerfully distinctive feeling for the day, and if you feel comfortable I'd like to encourage you to consider wearing a piece of white clothing when you join us for Yom Kippur, either Friday night of Saturday.  It doesn't have to be fancy - in fact, simplicity is a key component to the day.  And there's no pressure - if you'd prefer to wear your regular clothes we will be just as happy to see you and to pray together, but please consider this is a loving invitation.

However we prepare ourselves in the day ahead, please be mindful of the injunction that teshuvah (repentance), tefilah (prayer), and tzedakah (acts of charity and righteousness) set us on the right course in the New Year.  In addition to whatever internal work you do, please be sure to donate generously to those whose lives have been overturned by the recent hurricanes and earthquakes (you can consider making your gift through Philadelphia Jewish Federation) to help them rebuild their lives in this New Year that has just begun.

G'mar Chatimah Tovah / May we all be sealed for goodness,