A unison prayer for Yom Kippur in the 1932 Union Hymnal - a book of Jewish worship compiled by the Central Conference of American Rabbis. This is a prayer book my father owned and used for many years in a Reform Jewish congregation. (prayer adapted)
"Almighty and most merciful God, in whose hands are the souls of all the living, it is with humble and contrite hearts that we have come into Thy house on this most sacred day. In loving-kindness Thou guides and governs all things. All worlds and all that is therein, from the tiniest pebble on the ground to the mightiest stars that people the heavens, are under the guidance of Thine infinite wisdom. In that wisdom, too, Thou has placed man as the chief among all Thy creatures, and given to him the light of reason and understanding. Thou has made known to him the paths of good and evil, and has also given to him freedom of will. Thou has shown him the way of righteousness, and the way that is pleasing unto Thee, and accorded him the privilege of choice of action in the conduct of his life.
"Too often does man prove unworthy of Thy love and kindness. Led by his base desires and his selfishness, he strays from the paths of honesty and truthfulness. Yielding in the weakness of will to the strength of temptation, he disobeys Thy law and neglects Thy word.
"Yet in great mercy, Thou does give him the chance to correct his mistakes, to come back from his strayings unto Thy pathways again, for Thou has compassion upon our weaknesses. Thou art our maker and thou knows our frame. Thou sends to us this Day of Atonement and Reconciliation to make us recognize our sins, to confess and repent them. As a father calls his children from the outer darkness into the light of home, so does Thou on this day call us into Thy house. We are indeed Thy children, and in penitence we come on this holy day humbly to seek shelter under the shadow of the wings of Thy mercy, and to find comfort in the embrace of Thy love. Grant, O God, that by our confession, our prayer and penitence, we may truly find ourselves at one with Thee and feel Thy presence within our hearts. May we learn to know this day as a wonderful friend, the messenger of Thy benign mercy and Thine all-unfolding love. Amen."
Now is a turning time of the year. Leaves have begun to turn red, yellow and gold. Harvests are over. As we decorate our houses with pumpkins and corn stalks, we anticipate Halloween and we know the days and nights ahead will turn chilly. This past week, Jews around the world have gathered together in temples and synagogues for a ritual of figuratively turning over a new leaf for the year ahead.
This past Thursday, people observed Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the holiest time of the Jewish liturgical year. Yom Kippur comes ten days after the first day of Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of the Jewish New Year. These two High Holy Days and the days in between are called the Days of Awe. Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement, in which observant Jews fast and gather for prayer in temples and synagogues. This is the time when people ask each other for forgiveness for any offense or harm they may have done to them... knowingly or unknowingly... over the past few months. And then they ask for God's forgiveness in order for their names to be written for a year of blessings in the Book of Life.
I think that one of the best sermons I've read about Yom Kippur was by a UU minister, the Rev. Barbara Wells. Although Rev. Wells is not of Jewish background, I thought she got it just right. She describes this most holy time of the Jewish year this way.
"It is believed that during the ten day period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur God pays close attention to what you have been and done during the past year, and offers you the opportunity to ask forgiveness and start the new year with a clean slate. During these High Holy Days, ... people are invited to look closely at their lives, to admit they are not perfect, to ask forgiveness and be accepted once again by their fellow humans and by God. The celebration of these two conjoined holidays is a solemn one marked by reflection, prayers and fasting. Yet, the result is to bring people to a closer understanding of their gifts, limitations and their relationship to all that is holy. . ."
"Unitarian Universalism stems from the Christian tradition, particularly American Protestantism. Yet throughout our history we have resonated with much from the Jewish tradition. And today, there are many Jews within our congregations who have encouraged us to take seriously the Jewish traditions and what they have to teach us." There is an organiza-tion called UUs for Jewish Awareness, whose purpose is just this.
What lessons can we as Unitarian Universalists learn from Yom Kippur? I think there are two important ones. First, that religious ritual practiced in community is powerful. And, secondly, that we need each other in profound ways ... to gain healing and wholeness. We need each other to help us recognize our very human limitations and shortcomings as well as our strengths, to seek forgiveness and to forgive others. This is not easy to do and requires some courage. But with this ritual of confession and forgiveness comes spiritual healing.
For some of us, asking God's forgiveness is part of this equation, too. For others, the agnostics among us in particular, this may not be so important. But remember that rituals of confession and atonement exist in many religions and go back thousands of years. They answer an important and universal human need. As for myself, having grown up in Reform Judaism, I feel most comfortable with this particular ritual of communal atonement.
For Rev. Wells, the Jewish High Holy Days highlight the importance of worshipping in community, even for people who believe they can follow their spiritual path independently. She says,
"Let me begin by talking about the context in which these religious holidays take place. Practicing Jews celebrate many of their religious rituals in the home. The Sabbath meal, the reading of the Torah, even praying can and do happen as frequently in the home as in the synagogue or Temple. Yet on the High Holy Days, people flock to be with others, in the midst of a congregation. Why is that? I think it is because there is something in the human spirit that needs to be in community when dealing with powerful religious needs.
"As a Unitarian Universalist, I can really relate to that. I know a lot of UU's who remind me that much of their religious practice takes place at home or alone. Whether it is through solitary reading and reflection, simple home rituals around a meal, or hiking in the woods to greet the dawn, religious liberals value the individual search for their spiritual needs.
"Yet I would venture to say that even the most independent and solitary of UUs still needs community. We need to have a place to go where we can be accepted and cared for. Where we can have our grief acknowledged and our joy celebrated. We need a place where our spirits are paid attention to and where we are known by who we are, not by what we have or even what we do. That can't happen alone. And so we continue to create and sustain congregations, seeking somehow to build a religious home where what we value is cherished and what is of awe and wonder to us is celebrated."
"The Days of Awe within the Jewish tradition reflect a similar need. The power of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to bring people together in community worship is great indeed. Yet, the context is only one aspect of their importance. There is a deeper meaning in these holidays than just being together. Why people come together is critical as well. One reason is to be in a supportive environment where we can share our burdens."
Rev. Wells gives this example:
"Many UUs (and many people from other religious traditions as well!) have found a great deal of power and hope through their involvement with 12 step support groups. Many years ago, I had the privilege of listening (with my heart full) to a woman who was completing the step about admitting before God and another human being all the things she had done to wrong others. It was a long session, as it would be for most of us I presume. The process was extremely healing for her, and surprisingly for me, too. Hearing her speak of all she had done to hurt those she loves, couldn't help but remind me of my own irresponsibility and lack of concern for others. At the end of the session, we both cried, held each other, and offered each other healing forgiveness and hope."
"The annual experience during the Days of Awe, of acknowledging our shortcomings is a powerful and difficult process. Nobody enjoys admitting they're wrong, particularly in front of others. But, part of being human is being imperfect. In an article written some years ago, Rabbi Harold Kushner suggests that it is a misunderstanding that God expects human beings to be perfect. He believes "in a God who knows how complicated human life is, how difficult it is to be a good person at all times, and who expects not a perfect life but an honest effort at a good one." (Parade 9/8/96)
"Whether we believe in God or not, I think all of us can relate to Kushner's words. Trying to be perfect just leads to frustration and unhappiness. Trying to be good, however, can benefit not only ourselves, but others as well. And when we fail, which we will, living religiously means admitting our mistakes, and making a real attempt to do better the next time.
"UUs struggle with this a lot, I think. We cherish the intellect and the ability to learn and grow so much, that sometimes we forget that making mistakes is a part of the process. I know I find it difficult to admit when I'm wrong or when I have hurt someone. So let me take a moment now and say to you, this congregation I love so well, if I have hurt you in this past year, forgive me. When I have botched something badly, or not been there when I might have been, please forgive me. I am sorry and hope to do better this year.
"Can I ask you to do the same? Take a moment and reflect internally on someone you might have hurt this year. Something you did that caused pain or anger or hurt. Can you admit to it? And can you ask for forgiveness with your whole heart, promising to do better? This time of year is a good time to do that and perhaps you will take time during this next week to open your heart to another and share your mistakes.
"For you can be forgiven. That's the last thing I want to reflect on today. I've often laughed at the bumper sticker which reads, "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven." Well it's not just Christians. All of us, if we can learn to accept our own limitations and 'fess up to our wrongs, can and will be forgiven. First, we must forgive ourselves. I know I was taught at an early age that if I made a mistake I was somehow flawed. As I grow and change, I am trying hard to see that mistakes are life's way of teaching us. If we can't let go of guilt and shame toward ourselves, then why should anyone else forgive us?
"But they do. It has been the kind and generous people in my life who have seen me fully and accepted me, faults and all, that have helped me grow the most. Can we learn to forgive each other for not being perfect? Can we lighten up a little, laugh at our foibles, and just accept each other as best we can? That's what our first principle is really about. Seeing inherent worth and dignity even in those who make us madder than hell. This season is a time for us to accept ourselves, and accept others. It is not enough just to ask others for forgiveness of our past wrongs. We must also offer them the same acceptance.
"And finally, there is the greatest forgiveness which comes from the great spirit. If there is a God, God is truly unconditional love and acceptance. I believe that the Divine Presence that lives in and around us loves us at all times. But I also believe that when we humble ourselves, when we accept that we have done wrong and will try to do better, the holy part of ourselves enlarges and grows. For as we learn to accept ourselves and others, we discover the great joy of love that transcends judgment and which is truly the most holy thing in our universe
."... The Days of Awe, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, [remind us] that each year, even each new day, brings with it the hope for transformation, for possibility, for forgiveness and acceptance. And that when we bring those qualities of acceptance and forgiveness to our religious community, all of us grow and become better people. . ."
"It is hard and challenging and wonderful and mysterious to be alive in these times. Yet the powerful religious rituals which come down to us from many religious traditions, have much to teach us about life and living and love. As you go forth this day, may you remember to accept yourself even as you admit to failure and mistakes. May you accept others, even as you recognize the common human frailty we all share. And may you accept that in the eyes of God, all of us are written in the book of life."
Amen and blessed be.