attonement? a holiday?

[Guest guest]

this was meant for another company, but you too may find

of interest, friends...

 

today is the hebrew yom kipur (the day of atonement)

yom kipur in the state of israel is a most incredible experience,

unique on the planet. it is actually like a real shabbat, as it

supposed to be kept according to the " tora " and judeo-christian

scriptures. a whole modern country coming to full stop, returning for

a day to a hundred years ago… starting in a late afternoon friday,

until the evening of the next day, all traffic, public and private

ceases. no vehicles of any kind, no trains, planes, trucks, buses,

cars and motorcycles… and all businesses – restaurants, factories,

molls and shopping centers, workshops and gas stations etc are shut

down. no public broadcasts of any kind - no radio, tv and telephones.

all comes to total still.

and the then the real fun begins... no wonder the unofficial name of

yom kipur is " the bicycle day " . the city is taken over by

pedestrians, and all empty silent roads and highways are filled with

thousands of kids of all ages, colors, sizes and genders, riding

bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards – in short, anything with wheels

and moved by human muscle propulsion… and in the booming all

pervading silence, the most pronounced sound heard are voices of

children shouts and laughter. many people keep the traditional strict

fast, which is meant to atone for any transgressions against god.

(transgressions against fellow men etc are not covered by this deal –

one has to work on each one independently until forgiven, no

atonement otherwise). it is a very deep rooted tradition, and for the

last many years, despite declaring that " this year I do not fast! " –

i find myself each time succumbing to the temptation. taking

advantage of the silence and the clearly felt vortex of rising,

real 'spiritual energy', i too join in, and keep a complete fast…

seems this year too (so far! hehehehe) as i told my son, this is not

different than a unique opportunity to dive in a totally calm, warm,

and perfectly transparent sea.

 

wishing all health, happiness, peace and quiet.

 

yosy

 

 

ps. if there is any merit accrued in this, i dedicate it whole for

the benefit of all beings, according to their need.

 

and allow me to convey to all fasters this, a unique blessing,

never heard in any other tradition: " tzom kal! " ( " have an easy fast! " )