Humblest apologies

Tonight at sundown, Yom Kippur begins-the Jewish Day of Atonement. It’s a difficult one because we’re supposed to atone for all of our transgressions against God and humankind during this past year. I’m thinking, that’s a whole lotta sinning. Why, this blog alone has probably irritated, bothered, offended enough people to keep me atoning for days. If I had recorded each and every wrong-doing over the course of this past year, how long would my list be? I can’t imagine what that list would look like if I added all the wrongs committed that I didn’t even realize I’ve committed. Is it really fair to expect me to atone for something that no one bothered to tell me was offensive? Don’t I have enough on my plate, already? It’s a rhetorical question, and I thank you for not responding.

I’ve got to think about this long and hard because this is for real. It’s arguably the most important of all of the holidays. You know it’s a big deal when the most significant holiday in the Jewish calendar involves fasting. We’re a food-loving people.

I do take this holiday seriously as many Jews do regardless of how “Jewish” they are during the rest of the year. I figure, if someone asks you to define yourself, and “Jew” makes the top 10, you’re all over Yom Kippur. Even if “Jew” falls after your sun sign or your birth order or your political party affiliation or even after your general state of being, if you’re a Top-10 Jew, I’m guessing you’re acknowledging Yom Kippur in some way. So you’re fasting until sundown...in Israel! So you’re “breaking the fast” with friends and family without having fasting at all. So you’re taking the day off of work, but you’ll be at the mall buying a new pair of shoes. Maybe you’re not able to take off the day from work, but you’ll attend a service. It’s possible you do none of the above but you wish all your observant friends and family members an easy fast. A Top 10 Jew isn't necessarily a religious one, but you can't deny the connection you have to the culture or the rituals or the community or the humor, and you just can't ignore Yom Kippur.

So, to all those reading this blog, I do sincerely apologise for anything I have done or said that caused you pain. If you’re fasting, I hope you have an easy fast. If you’re breaking the fast with friends and/or family, I hope someone is providing a great spread. If you’re at the mall tomorrow, I hope you find fabulous new shoes--on sale. If you’re a Jewish Pre-school parent, I hope you’re able to keep the kids occupied while school is closed.

And if you’re a Top-10 Jew, I’d like to know where “Jew” ranks on your list. If you’d like to share your “Here’s Who I Am” List, please do. Top 5? Top 3? My list changes all the time, and I’m defined by things that range from profound to ridiculous. Today, right now my list includes:

1. Woman
2. Jew
3. Mother/Sister/Partner – too easy to divide them up for a top 10 list
4. Late bloomer
5. Writer/Entertainer
6. Registered Democrat. Closeted Socialist.
7. Lover of food, drink and merriment
8. Networker
9. Gemini (Gemini rising and moon in Sagittarius)
10. List maker

Asher is playing with his trains while I write this blog. He just told one of his trains that he is going to lock him away, and his train sounds very sad. I hope he apologises before sundown.