"Strictly speaking, it is not a prayer, even though it is commonly spoken of as if it were a prayer. This declaration and its ceremonial accompaniment have been charged with emotional undertones since the medieval period, creating a dramatic introduction to Yom Kippur on what is often dubbed "Kol Nidrei night",with the entire Yom Kippur evening service popularly called Kol Nidrei."
Absolutely gorgeous. Thank you so very much for sharing this. I’m not Jewish, but I had tears in my eyes from the beginning.
What is sacred is sacred, whether you “observe” or not. If your spirit wants to feel it, it will. My spirit is somehow more at ease now. I’m going outside to listen to the pool bubble where I’m staying for a few more days.
Thank you….feeling a bit guilty about even glancing at the news on Yom Kippur, your post hit the sweet spot Jen. I ask myself how do I best live my values during this most challenging time and your writing is a wonderful example. On this holiday in synagogue we read the words of the prophet Isaiah….may your words and these ancient words resonate deeply for many.
Thank you for your Yom Kippur message! I love that you share your traditions with us. I still treasure your Passover message about welcoming the stranger.
We could all use a little self-reflection. I believe that the antidote to despair (or ennui) is action. If we do our bit to make the world a better place, it doesn't feel so hopeless. As a progressive Christian, I choose a word every year for centering prayer/meditation. My current word is humble. We could all use a bit more humility. We are not always right and it's good to listen to others with an open heart and mind.--dispatching this from war-ravaged Portland.
Thank you for your post, Gillian. It hit home for me this day. I am too a progressive Christian struggling some days to remember that God is my hope amidst the turmoil of life. I love your choice to select a word every year to centering prayer/meditation. I will adopt your practice.
Added note: I love Portland! Oregon is such as gorgeous place. Also, my daughter graduated from Portland Seminary with a MDiv and Spiritual Direction Certification.
Wonderful message, goes right to the heart of the problem with the 'Democratic' party and clear, intelligent reflection and appealing recommendations. Thank you - this moved me right into the paid subscriber community!
Tractate Yoma. For sins against G-d Yom Kippur atones. It goes on to say that for sins against another human, it does not until they get forgiveness from one another
May you have an easy fast to all who are fasting for Yom Kippur. May you be blessed and inscribed in the Book of Life for this new year. Thank you, Jen and the Contrarians.
I agree "democracy defenders cannot shy away from confronting multiple, serious harms inflicted by a president who floods the field with abuses, cruelties, and lies."
Thanks Jennifer--and thank you for giving a little bit of information about how Judaism operates at this time of year to people who have no knowledge of it. I am from NY originally and now live in the Midwest, where being Jewish is "exotic" and heavily misunderstood. I would like to add another aspect to your self-reflective list, which actually lines up with almost all of your "sins" outlined, especially arrogance and complacency. All I hear from Dem pols is that "Americans" think only about what are commonly called "kitchen table" issues, primarily money-based. On NPR this morning Governor Beshear (Kentucky) pushed that narrative to the max. That is the case, perhaps, with those on the Right who might be encouraged to vote Democratic because it benefits their home budget, but I think that is missing the point with most Dems. We are tired of being told that our finances are the only thing energizing us. That is absolutely not the case. We need our representatives to stand up for civil society, bodily autonomy, equity and inclusivity. These are not "kitchen table" issues, they are issues of humanity and they are UNIVERSAL. If Dem Reps have decided (this is the complacency issue) that they want Republican/Independent/Libertarian votes and are going to go to all lengths to get them--including ignoring what rank and file Democrats fight for--then they are going to be disillusioned when Dems stay home. Which they do. In droves. The problem is not that there are too few Democrats--there are more of us than of them. There are too few Democrats who feel that their votes count. Because we do not feel we are being listened to; instead we are condescended to, patted on the head, and expected to be the ATM for the DNC. It doesn't work that way. I vote--every election--no matter what. But I don't feel represented by anyone for whom I vote; I just hope that they will put a brake on fascism before it's too late.
This is so true, and it goes hand in hand with the "Dems need to move toward center (and progressives: you be patient, we'll get to you)" narrative we've been dealing with for decades—and look where it's got us. Yes, a governor of a state like Kentucky has to respond to a somewhat different constituency, and may need to frame things differently, than a governor of Michigan or New York (where I live) but I'm always mystified by the politicians and strategists who keep advising these failed strategies. When will they connect the dots?
We definitely have to move on from Schumer and Jefferies and find democrat leaders who can talk to the people the way the people talk. Current leadership is killing us.
Thank you for posting the Yom Kippur message. It is inspiring, consoling and instructive!
Shana Tovah
The big number is Kol Nidre. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kol_Nidre#:~:text=This%20rite%20declared%20that%20the,in%20their%20stead%20pardon%20and
"Strictly speaking, it is not a prayer, even though it is commonly spoken of as if it were a prayer. This declaration and its ceremonial accompaniment have been charged with emotional undertones since the medieval period, creating a dramatic introduction to Yom Kippur on what is often dubbed "Kol Nidrei night",with the entire Yom Kippur evening service popularly called Kol Nidrei."
Here's the Neil Diamond version. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_39ufEBUrEE
Absolutely gorgeous. Thank you so very much for sharing this. I’m not Jewish, but I had tears in my eyes from the beginning.
What is sacred is sacred, whether you “observe” or not. If your spirit wants to feel it, it will. My spirit is somehow more at ease now. I’m going outside to listen to the pool bubble where I’m staying for a few more days.
May you know peace.
May we all know peace.
you really do comment on everything
Not really. I contribute. Some people appreciate it. What's your problem? You seem to be the only critic I have today.
Kol Nidre and the Psalms are the original "blues.
guess I'm still waiting for you to revise your contribution of blaming the sup crt failing on the new judge KBJackson. Sorry
You don't uderstand. They ALL and that inclues her, have a duty to bring bias charges against Thomas and Alito if they have personal knowledge.
I also think ALL were complicit in failing to follow the law in the Trump Colorado ballot case. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trump_v._Anderson
falls on roberts as the chief whatever you want to call him
I remember Kol Nidrei as a bass viol solo, from at least 60 years ago.
You speak wisdom from your heart & soul, Jennifer. You are a beloved Blessing to your devoted Contrarians and the World. Happy Healthy Yom Kippur. 🤍✨
Thank you for this reflection. It’s equally valuable to gentiles and Jews.
I look forward to your morning messages. I find them cogent and uplifting. Thank you for all you do on behalf of our struggling democracy. Bob M.
Thank you….feeling a bit guilty about even glancing at the news on Yom Kippur, your post hit the sweet spot Jen. I ask myself how do I best live my values during this most challenging time and your writing is a wonderful example. On this holiday in synagogue we read the words of the prophet Isaiah….may your words and these ancient words resonate deeply for many.
”This is the fast I ask for:
Unlock the shackles of resistance
Loosen the yokes of bondage
Send the crushed souls to freedom...
Thank you for your Yom Kippur message! I love that you share your traditions with us. I still treasure your Passover message about welcoming the stranger.
We could all use a little self-reflection. I believe that the antidote to despair (or ennui) is action. If we do our bit to make the world a better place, it doesn't feel so hopeless. As a progressive Christian, I choose a word every year for centering prayer/meditation. My current word is humble. We could all use a bit more humility. We are not always right and it's good to listen to others with an open heart and mind.--dispatching this from war-ravaged Portland.
Thank you for your post, Gillian. It hit home for me this day. I am too a progressive Christian struggling some days to remember that God is my hope amidst the turmoil of life. I love your choice to select a word every year to centering prayer/meditation. I will adopt your practice.
Added note: I love Portland! Oregon is such as gorgeous place. Also, my daughter graduated from Portland Seminary with a MDiv and Spiritual Direction Certification.
Thanks Ginny... glad to know you are out there in our broken world.
Gillian: I know it's bad "up" there, especially those protesters in chicken outfits. We could put up a picture of Gaza and call it "Portland."
Too funny. You'll be pleased to know that Portlanders are also planning an emergency naked bike ride. The last one was in July.
Gillian, you DO mean that the bikes are naked?
Hahaha uh no. https://pdxwnbr.org/
It's annual event. Last July they started in Grant Park, and I saw a bunch of em when I was driving home.
Gillian--I put my note back to you at the top of the blog by accident.
Wonderful message, goes right to the heart of the problem with the 'Democratic' party and clear, intelligent reflection and appealing recommendations. Thank you - this moved me right into the paid subscriber community!
CaffyDoc you will not regret it. I have not.
What a writer! What a thinker! Thanks for this, a wonderful essay.
You are so dear to your readers. Shana Tovah
V’al Kulam Eloah Selichot selach lanu, M’chal lanu, caper lanu. For all these things, o God of mercy, forgive us, pardon us, grant us atonement!
Tractate Yoma. For sins against G-d Yom Kippur atones. It goes on to say that for sins against another human, it does not until they get forgiveness from one another
I cause see them reading the Vidui confession
Should read “I can just”
May you have an easy fast to all who are fasting for Yom Kippur. May you be blessed and inscribed in the Book of Life for this new year. Thank you, Jen and the Contrarians.
I agree "democracy defenders cannot shy away from confronting multiple, serious harms inflicted by a president who floods the field with abuses, cruelties, and lies."
Irena: We can throw this in the pile of norm-breakers: Trump never made the move from party to president of the whole country.
A wonderful observance. Thank you.
Yes! Thank you.
Thanks Jennifer--and thank you for giving a little bit of information about how Judaism operates at this time of year to people who have no knowledge of it. I am from NY originally and now live in the Midwest, where being Jewish is "exotic" and heavily misunderstood. I would like to add another aspect to your self-reflective list, which actually lines up with almost all of your "sins" outlined, especially arrogance and complacency. All I hear from Dem pols is that "Americans" think only about what are commonly called "kitchen table" issues, primarily money-based. On NPR this morning Governor Beshear (Kentucky) pushed that narrative to the max. That is the case, perhaps, with those on the Right who might be encouraged to vote Democratic because it benefits their home budget, but I think that is missing the point with most Dems. We are tired of being told that our finances are the only thing energizing us. That is absolutely not the case. We need our representatives to stand up for civil society, bodily autonomy, equity and inclusivity. These are not "kitchen table" issues, they are issues of humanity and they are UNIVERSAL. If Dem Reps have decided (this is the complacency issue) that they want Republican/Independent/Libertarian votes and are going to go to all lengths to get them--including ignoring what rank and file Democrats fight for--then they are going to be disillusioned when Dems stay home. Which they do. In droves. The problem is not that there are too few Democrats--there are more of us than of them. There are too few Democrats who feel that their votes count. Because we do not feel we are being listened to; instead we are condescended to, patted on the head, and expected to be the ATM for the DNC. It doesn't work that way. I vote--every election--no matter what. But I don't feel represented by anyone for whom I vote; I just hope that they will put a brake on fascism before it's too late.
This is so true, and it goes hand in hand with the "Dems need to move toward center (and progressives: you be patient, we'll get to you)" narrative we've been dealing with for decades—and look where it's got us. Yes, a governor of a state like Kentucky has to respond to a somewhat different constituency, and may need to frame things differently, than a governor of Michigan or New York (where I live) but I'm always mystified by the politicians and strategists who keep advising these failed strategies. When will they connect the dots?
We definitely have to move on from Schumer and Jefferies and find democrat leaders who can talk to the people the way the people talk. Current leadership is killing us.
Let’s keep a close eye on Tallarico.