“Yom Kippur is the day time becomes God. ”

Hearing these words from my Rebbe, Rabbi Zalman Schachter Shalomi zt”l, many years ago filled my heart with wonder and curiosity. It felt authentic, yet I wondered how he could say that with such certainty. 

Let’s look at these words from Torah:

`מִקְוֵ֤ה יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ ה

Mikvah of Yisrael is Hashem
(G-d, Who Was and Will Be)

Tractate Yoma is about Yom Kippur. Yomah (8:9)  uses these words from Jeremiah (17:13) to give a sense of what happens on this holy day. 

In Jeremiah, the word mikvah is usually  translated as “hope.” Rabbi Akiva twists this interpretation. In Yomah, he highlights the spiritual practice of mikvah and the deep release that comes with it.

This cultivates the image of Godwrestlers immersed in Presence on Yom Kippur. We do not have to do anything to make this happen.
 
This Torah has altered how I relate to Yom Kippur, opening doors of excitement and joy. Now, I anticipate the day as an opportunity to spend time with The Creator of All. 

FASTING

I have also learned to appreciate fasting and the low prana mode cultivated.

When fasting, the body does not use resources to digest, and higher faculties, usually hidden, may be accessed. This can be uplifting and exciting, especially later in the day. 

Fasting is not easy for everyone, and people need to find their way around it, especially people with health challenges. 

 If you want to discuss this further, contact me directly.

I wish all of you who fast an easy fast and blessings for an elevated day where we experience the underlying unity of all created.
We are One. 

G’mar hatimah Tovah, 
May you be weaved into spirals of ongoing life and love.