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Incense of the day: Cedar Yom Kippur is the last day of the ten-day period that began on Rosh Hashanah. It is also called the Day of Atonement, and is the most solemn and sacred festival of the Jewish calendar. During this period, one is asked to contemplate one's sins and seek reconciliation with God. We forgive our friends for any transgressions now. By forgiving others, we are forgiven by others and by God. It is through our relationship with each other that we establish our relationship with God. The kindness we show to each other is kindness to God. As in all religions, compassion is the virtue that leads away from egotism and toward spiritual development. The Yom Kippur service begins on the evening before, and after a nighttime break is resumed at sunrise and continues to sundown. During this entire period Jews are asked to fast and pray. To fast one must abstain from all food, drink, and sexual activity. This is an ancient shamanic practice that allows one to diminish the physical world and experience the world of the spirit. These things are avoided not because they are evil, but simply because they must be diminished for our consciousness to shift focus to the spirit within. |
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