Dr. Chaim Y. Botwinick
As we stand on the threshold of Yom Kippur (5786), the holiest
day of the year, we embark upon a profoundly important
journey of personal introspection, as well as self and communal
reflection and spiritual renewal.
This sacred period of time in our lives, invites acheinu bnai
yisrael to press the “pause-button” as we reflect deeply on our
actions and seek mechilla (forgiveness) for the ways in which
we have fallen short.
As we enter this critical stage of teshuva (repentance) we are all
reminded of its awesome power – an opportunity to return, to
rediscover, reflect, and renew our commitment to living
purposeful lives imbued with compassion, chesed and justice.
During Aseret Yomei Teshuva – the ten days of repentance
between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur, we are urged to
increase our acts of charity, good deeds, tefillah (prayer) and
limud torah (Torah study) in order to atone for our individual
and collective sins; and, to draw us all closer to HaShem.
Although it’s critical that we always involve ourselves in these
important mitzvot throughout the year, during Aseret Yomei
Teshuva, we are provided with a very special window of
opportunity to fulfill these mitzvot blev shalaim (with a full
heart) and with very deep levels of sincerity, zerizut (alacrity)
and commitment – all in preparation for Yom Kippur.
As we approach this holiest day of the year, we are reminded of
the power of teshuvah and to renew our individual and
collective commitment to living purposeful lives.
Yom Kippur is a day to confront our mistakes and oversights to
acknowledge the harm and hurt we have inflicted on others
and an opportunity to seek forgiveness from those we have
wronged.
As we know, Yom Kippur is much more than just a personal
awareness or reckoning. It is also a communal imperative, and a
time we come together as a community to be mitpallel, to
reflect, to introspect and to provide one another with support
as we grow and develop ourselves spiritually.
When we attend shul on Yom Kippur, we experience a sense of
belonging and connection to HaShem, to one another, as well a
deep and profound connection to the multitude of generations
who proceeded us.
The great Kotzker Rebbe is quoted as saying…can we imagine
the “kavana” (devotion and dedication) we would have during
tefilla if every day we felt the same kedusha (holiness and awe)
of Yom Kippur in our hearts, minds and souls?…….and, just
imagine how these feelings would change our attitudes,
dispositions and relationships, if we would be able to
continuously repeat these feelings in our daily lives.
The Rebbe’s point here should be plain and simple…yet it
remains beyond challenging and difficult to execute or
implement. This may be due in large measure to the special
power of Yom Kippur and to our human condition, especially as
it relates to the lack of achdut acheinu yisrael – our feeling of
unity as a Jewish community.
Having said that, as we approach Yom Kippur, we must all
aspire to engage in personal and communal acts of chesed and
achdut – anchored in teshuva and purposeful kindness.
These are adjustments, commitments and deeds which
unfortunately do not come easy to Klal Yisrael.
Over the many years, the level of internal division, acrimony
and disagreement in our communities both in Israel and in
diaspora Jewish communities, has increased in both intensity
and frequency. It has created an internal communal divide
which must be addressed at all cost, lest we find ourselves on a
declining trajectory.
This condition begs to be remedied and maybe, just maybe, as
we approach and observe Aseret Yomei Teshuva leading up to
Yom Kippur, we confront this reality with promise, commitment
and resolve.
The holiday of Yom Kippur is much more than a personal
reckoning. It is also a communal experience, a time when we
come together as a community in prayer, to reflect and to
support one another on our individual and collective paths of
self-discovery and spiritual growth.
As we fast and pray on Yom Kippur, we are all reminded of the
importance of achdut and solidarity among us. We are called
upon to stand together and to support one another and to
work towards creating a more wholesome and compassionate
community.
In a world permeated with hatred, conflict and division, Yom
Kippur reminds all of us, regardless of how religious or secular
we are, of the tremendous awesome power of community, the
importance of empathy for others, and the need for true,
sincere and heart-felt reconciliation.
The sounding of the shofar at the conclusion of Yom Kippur, the
recitation of the Kol Nidre and Avinu Malkeinu must serve to
awaken us to the unlimited possibilities of transformation and
renewal. To be sure, they remind us that we are not necessarily
bound by our past oversights and mistakes, but rather
empowered to create a better and brighter future.
As we recite tefillat Al Chet, we all acknowledge our sins and
shortcomings and we seek forgiveness from HaShem. But, we
also recognize that true forgiveness can only come from those
we have wronged – weather they be family, friends or
members of our community.
And so re make concerted efforts to reach out to others,
seeking forgiveness and reconciliation, striving to make amends
for the mistakes and harm we have caused.
During the Yom Kippur fast, we all find a sense of moral and
ethical clarity and purpose. We are reminded of the importance
of living a life of integrity, of treating others with respect and
kindness, and of striving to be the best version or example of
ourselves.
We are called upon to be true messengers of change, to work
towards creating a world that is more imbued with shalom,
more compassion and more achdut and loving kindness.
As a child, I can vividly recall the last several hours we spent in
shul just prior to the end of Yom Kippur and the sounding of the
shofar. Although we were all physically weak, hungry and
thirsty, we all felt a sense of spiritual renewal, and a feeling of
resolve that tomorrow will hold out greater promise than today
and yesterday…. and that in a few hours we will be ready to
embark upon a fresh and renewed spiritual path with a clean
slate and record.
Friends, this amazing feeling of renewal was even more evident
and pronounced when we conclude tefila with B’Shana Haba
B’Yerushalayim – next year in Jerusalem…..a feeling of hope,
optimism and promise for the future of am yisrael, eretz yisrael
and klal yisrael.
As we conclude Yom Kippur, we all emerge with a renewed
sense of clarity and purpose and with a deeper understanding
of ourselves and our place in the world… as well as a
commitment to living a life of meaning, purpose, hope and
positivity.
It is our hope and prayer that this coming Yom Kippur brings
acheinu, true and lasting peace, forgiveness and a deeper
connection to ourselves, our families our communities and to
the world around us.
Let us carry the profound lessons of Yom Kippur with us
throughout the coming year as we strive and yearn to live with
greater intention, compassion, chesed, and achdut.
And, let us all emerge from this day of kedusha with a renewed
sense of hope, a deeper sense of purpose and a true
commitment to making our community and world a safer and
better place to grow, flourish and live.
With warm wishes for a Shana Tova, Gmar Chatima Tova and a
meaningful fast.
Dr. Chaim Botwinick is a senior executive coach and organizational
consultant. He served as president and CEO of the central agency for
Jewish education in Baltimore and in Miami; in addition to head of
school and principal for several Jewish day schools and yeshivot. As an
Influencer, he has published and lectured extensively on topics relating
to education, resource development, strategic planning and leadership
development. Dr. Botwinick is co-founder of LEV Consulting Associates
and producer/host for the Chinuch Horizons podcast. He is author of
Think Excellence, Brown Books, 2011.
