Observant and self-aware Jews spend weeks before Yom Kippur poring over their misdeeds and mistakes from the past year. When they show up for Kol Nidre services, they’re more than ready to honestly bare their souls.
The rest of us mentally resuscitate ourselves on Rosh Hashanah. The liturgy and the blast of the shofar rattle our spiritual cages. Luckily, we still have 10 days before Yom Kippur to cram in sufficient self-scrutiny.
How about spending even an hour this weekend reflecting on your life? Pull out an old calendar or journal. Scan it to jog your memory. Then grab a pen or just think quietly to yourself about the events of the past year.
Here are a few questions that might help you focus on both the spiritual and secular aspects of your life over the past 12 months:
*What were my greatest achievements? My greatest disappointments?
*What brought me the most joy? The most regret?
*Whom do I admire and why?
*With whom did I fight? With whom do I wish to make up?
*What would I like to do to make Judaism a more fulfilling dimension in my life?
*What didn’t I accomplish? What shouldn’t I have done?
*What can I do to change what I don’t like about myself? What can I do to enhance what I do like?
Obviously, traditional Judaism goes several steps further than just prescribing self-analysis as the proper preparation for Yom Kippur. The sages advise that repentance, prayer and tzedakah will help ensure that God writes you into the Book of Life for the next year.
According to Orthodox author Blu Greenberg, the four steps to repentance include recognition of wrongdoing, regret, resolution not to repeat and restraining yourself when the same temptation presents itself again.
Don’t forget one of the most humble acts of all — seeking forgiveness from those you’ve hurt. The prospect of opening yourself up may be frightening. But just try it. A sincere request for forgiveness is rarely snubbed.
Tzom kal. May you have an easy fast.
G’mar chatimah tovah. May you be sealed for a good year.