Thank you for choosing to join me and artist Jacqueline Nicholls on this 40 day journey into a new year. I hope these reflections on the ripples of our being inspire private introspection and public conversation. Here’s today’s post:
This Friday we refine our focus on forgiveness. Ashkenazi congregations conduct the Selichot services on Saturday night, airing out the hymns of confession, the liturgies of regret, and the poems of aspiration. Selichot reminds us not to apologize to God before we do so eye to eye with the people in our lives whom we have hurt this past year. It is in each other that we echo the Divine.
I dedicate this Shabbat to do the hard work of forgiveness, around the table, in private conversations, and at least one long walk.
The big ones that still hurt, no matter who started it, come first and are the hardest. Perhaps a written note, or if we are braver, a visit or a call. Next, our neighbors, family, work colleagues, and friends. If not all, at least a few that we know will matter the most. Perhaps one each day until this journey is done?
On this last shabbat of the year, let’s bring our best intentions and do unto others what we yearn for most: hurt less, love more, rise with compassion towards forgiveness, fix our course, try again, do better, be kinder, be real.
Shabbat Shalom
– Rabbi Amichai
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Very excited for Lab/Shul’s fifth season of High Holy Days, back in Tribeca. We invite all ages to return to center, recharge soul, reclaim community and co-create our widening circles of care, compassion and justice.
