Yom Kippur

2024 - 10 - 11

Rabbi on a Journey of Atonement: When Prayers Meet Protest!

Abraham Joshua Heschel - Atonement - Community - Israel - Judaism - Rabbi - Reflection - Yom Kippur

This Yom Kippur, a rabbi reflects on his part in the military machine and joins a protest for peace!

As the sun sets on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, Jews around the world prepare for a day dedicated to atonement and reflection. This year, I, a rabbi, find myself grappling with my own role within the military machine of my homeland, Israel. While I wear my kippah with pride, I can’t ignore the remnants of fear that echo through the streets of Palestine, a reality that I unwittingly supported. It is a moment for reckoning—not just for personal sins, but for collective ones that reach beyond individual lives to touch entire nations.

In the spirit of this holy day, I felt compelled to pray with protest this Yom Kippur. Inspired by the late, great Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, who marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr. in the fight for civil rights, I echo his sentiment about the interconnection of faith and action. Those familiar with Heschel’s words know he viewed protest as an extension of prayer. Today, as I stand in solidarity with those yearning for peace and justice, I acknowledge that inaction equals complicity. My heart aches as I recognize the courage of those who have suffered, reminding me of the divine imperative to seek justice.

Holding a placard that reads “Peace is the way, not violence,” I feel an unusually comforting blend of sadness and hope. It is a reminder that protest does not negate one’s faith. Instead, it amplifies it. Each Hebrew prayer I utter during this sacred day connects to my physical stand on the street, merging my spirit and actions as one. Speaking out is an act of devotion—one that aims to lift both the Jewish people and Palestinians from a cycle of fear and hatred.

As I finish my observance filled with high hopes for a peaceful future, I look around at others joining me, people of all faiths and backgrounds gathering as a tapestry of unity. There is a growing realization that Yom Kippur doesn’t just have to be about personal atonement; it can also be a powerful catalyst for communal healing. Let this Yom Kippur be a time to not only seek forgiveness but also to extend our hands towards those who suffer. Let’s not mourn alone but rally in shared humanity.

Interesting Fact 1: During Yom Kippur, it is customary for Jewish individuals to fast for approximately 25 hours, from sunset to nightfall the following day. This fast symbolizes atonement and repentance, allowing them to focus on prayer and self-reflection.

Interesting Fact 2: Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel played a crucial role in the civil rights movement, famously stating that he marched in Selma "with my feet" to signify that faith and action are profoundly intertwined. His belief persists, encouraging others to blend belief with advocacy for social justice, inspiring generations of activists today.

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