On the other hand
This Yom Kippur will be like no other we have ever observed.
Instead of synagogues and other venues overflowing with worshippers, street corners, balconies, gardens and parks will host smaller groups on this, the holiest day in the Jewish religious calendar. In an effort to stem the rising tide of corona infections, Israel is being locked down tight. Whether this will work is debatable especially as the long-suffering public witness politicians’ dysfunctional behaviour.
Life however must somehow carry on and in the midst of this mayhem, there are still positive stories to report.
SAVING ENDANGERED SPECIES
With the virus raging it sometimes feels as though human beings are an endangered species. However there are animals which are on the very edge of extinction. The Yotvata Hai Bar Nature Reserve in the Negev is working day and night to save and increase numbers of rare animals.
THE SEASON OF RETURN
Among the main themes of this Holyday season is the concept of tshuva, repentance and return. We are taught that it is never too late to atone for our past and current misdeeds and return to a path which is more in tune with the moral codes of life as set out in the Torah and commentaries.
Returning can also take the form of physical distancing from one’s existing environment and moving to a place which will offer a higher quality of Jewish life.
The two following videos clearly exemplify these concepts.
The first deals with returning from a long lost exile to the Promised Land. Our Prophets made it clear that eventually remnants of the long lost tribes will reclaim their heritage and return to the land of their ancestors. We are privileged to see this happening before our very eyes. Miracles are happening in ways unimaginable not so long ago.
The second video is the inspiring story of a young man whose early life was a train wreck and who could easily have become one of life’s recurring tragedies.
His battle with the help of many people to rehabilitate himself is the perfect topic for Yom Kippur as we also try to do tshuva and serve as an example for others.
May we all be inscribed and sealed for a healthy and positive year.
