Yom Kippur 2010 / 5771
Yom Kippur was a week ago. Not a particularly potent fast. I may have to extend it as I get older.
One of Yom Kippur's customs is forgiving others for trespasses against you. I've tried to maintain that rite.
There's a flip side to the custom - asking others to forgive you.
Years ago, I thought that asking for forgiveness was hubris -- who was I to demand such a thing?
Later in life, I thought that not asking for forgiveness was hubris -- who was I to forgive and act as though I didn't need it?
Now, I think that thinking about it is hubris -- who am I to question the wisdom of those who built the tradition? But I'm not going to stop thinking. I can't not question everything and everyone. I don't even want to.
But that means I can't get away from hubris, ever. I need to remember that.
...
Anyway, it's a week late, but I needed the time to think.
I forgive you, and I ask that you forgive me.
That is all.
Previous years. (No entry for 2009. Perhaps I missed it or forgot. It was a turbulent time. Not that this isn't, but you know.)
2008 / 5769
2007 / 5768 (and here)
2006 / 5767
2005 / 5766
One of Yom Kippur's customs is forgiving others for trespasses against you. I've tried to maintain that rite.
There's a flip side to the custom - asking others to forgive you.
Years ago, I thought that asking for forgiveness was hubris -- who was I to demand such a thing?
Later in life, I thought that not asking for forgiveness was hubris -- who was I to forgive and act as though I didn't need it?
Now, I think that thinking about it is hubris -- who am I to question the wisdom of those who built the tradition? But I'm not going to stop thinking. I can't not question everything and everyone. I don't even want to.
But that means I can't get away from hubris, ever. I need to remember that.
...
Anyway, it's a week late, but I needed the time to think.
I forgive you, and I ask that you forgive me.
That is all.
Previous years. (No entry for 2009. Perhaps I missed it or forgot. It was a turbulent time. Not that this isn't, but you know.)
2008 / 5769
2007 / 5768 (and here)
2006 / 5767
2005 / 5766