klahr@csd2.UUCP (09/20/85)
YOM KIPPPUR & KOL NIDRAY
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Yom Kippur is the culmination of 'Aseres Y'may Teshuva, the Ten Days
of Repentance that begin on Rosh Hashana. One of the best known of all Jewish
prayers is the one that we begin Yom Kippur with, Kol Nidray. Many Jews who
are otherwised estranged from the formal aspects of Judaism make it a point to
come to the synagogue on Yom Kippur eve to listen to this prayer. ( NOTE: As
an aside to the pursuers of Jewish trivia: The first "talkie" motion picture-
a movie with sound- produced and shown in this country was THE JAZZ SINGER,
made in 1927, and starring Al Jolson. In it, a cantor's son breaks with his
family, attracted by fame, fortune, and the allure of the Roaring Twenties, to
become a star jazz crooner. By movie's end, he reconciles with his family,
and, when Pop takes sick right before Yom Kippur, sonny comes to the synagogue
in just the nick of time to pinch-hit for his father and sing Kol Nidray. The
movie ends with the strains of a cantor ( no, not Eddie Cantor) singing Kol
Nidray- according to some, it is the voice of the legendary cantor, Yossele
Rosenblatt. A little Teshuva story in itself! A piece of American cinematic
hhistory! Who says Judaism isn't as American as baseball and mom's apple pie?)
What is the meaning of Kol Nidray?
In Kol Nidray, we express the seriousness of making a vow, or, more
generally, the importance of the assumption of responsibility. Certainly the
law of vows, the assumption of voluntary responsibilities, is an integral part
of the Torah. But why of all the commandments in the Book is this the first
one that we consider on Yom Kippur, the ultimate day of judgement?
One answer to this question is that the law of Nidarim, or vows,
provides a microcosm of the essential Jewish experience. The laws of making
vows are unique in that they allow people to create new obligations for
themselves, within the framework of the G-d-given commandments. In accepting
the Torah, the body of laws, morals, and values designed to refine us and make
us better people, the Jewish people too have accepted a set of responsibilities
beyond those of the "natural law" of Mankind. In fact, this analogy is
consistent with the Talmud's way of expressing our obligation to follow the
laws of the Torah, "we have been sworn to the Torah from Mount Sinai". Before
we start a final review of our actions of the past year, noting where we have
lapsed from our ideals and resolving to correct our mistakes, we try to
ensure that we will not violate any vows in the coming year. By doing so, we
are emphasizing the challenge, as well as the responsibility, of our role in
the world.
In addition to not doing any form of work, as on the Sabbath, there are
five prohibitions on Yom Kippur. Their purpose is to deprive our bodies of
sensual experiences in order to heighten our mental and spiritual conscious-
ness. We deprive ourselves of eating and drinking, washing and bathing,
rubbing ourselves with oils, wearing leather shoes, and marital relations. We
spend much of the day in the synagogue, confessing our collective sins against
G-d, people, and ourselves. We mark the defects in our character and conduct,
and resolve to correct them. We read the story of Jonah, the prophet who tried
to flee the word of G-d, but ultimately brought His message of repentance to
the people of Nineveh. In addition, many aspects of the highly symbolic
Temple service of Yom Kippur, as well as other episodes of our history and
experiences, are brought to our attention by the prayers we say. We ask
forgiveness of G-d and of each other. While a serious day, Yom Kippur is not
a day of sadness. It is preceded by a festive meal before the fast, and in
many respects is considered a happy day, precisely because we are renewing our
connections with G-d, people, and ourselves.
There are those who ask: If the intent of the entire Yom Kippur is
repentance, why must we do and say all these things on Yom Kippur? Why not
just meditate all day?
A basic principle of Judaism is that, while people are capable of having
many lofty thoughts and aspirations, actions are necessary to internalize
these attitudes into our personalities. By separating ourselves from several
symbols of materialism on this day, we can better focus ourselves on those
ideals that are important to us. Even though we know that, at one time or
another, we may stray from some of our values, a sincere declaration to
ourselves of what those values are will help make Yom Kippur into what it
means- a day of forgiveness.
G'mar chasima tovah- may everyone have a meaningful Yom Kippur, and a
"final ensealment for a good verdict".
Pinchus Klahr {allegra, ihnp4} cmcl2!csd2!klahr
klahr@nyu.ARPA