CONGRATULATIONS,
AUTUMN IS HERE!
Looking on the calendar, I noticed that the start of the autumn falls on September 23rd this year. We may notice the change in the season as leaves on the trees begin to change colors before falling down, in preparation for winter. There are other significant things that happen in the autumn as well. On Sunday, September 24th, starts Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement. Though it is a Jewish tradition to celebrate this important event by fasting and praying during the next day until the sunset, it relates not only to Jews, but to all of humanity, as we are all interconnected.
The service starts on Sunday night with a prayer called Kol Nidre, which means “all vows”. I had difficulty understanding how it is possible to annul any personal or religious oath or prohibitions made between ourselves and God for the next year; how to atone or to get rid of our bad actions from the previous year. And then it dawned on me; it is like the trees losing their leaves. Next spring, they will appear again, and the cycle will start all over. Similarly, as we cycle through the Yom Kippur holiday, we will atone, and the world can start a new cycle over again.
Before dealing with God, we need to ask forgiveness from people. I want to use this opportunity to ask for your forgiveness. If you have ever wondered why leaves turn from green to yellow and to red before falling down, you can read this explanation.
Meanwhile, please take a look at the beauty of these three images of leaves.
Enjoy and Share!