Just back in the US for the first time in three weeks… this trip was fun and busy…  1and somehow managed to route me through  7 countries..which included a nice 2.5 day weekend with Diane.  Now looking forward to a few days of down time. 

Tonight is Erev Yom Kippur, the night before Yom Kippur.. the most important date in the jewish year. I don’t really do a formal practive of religion anymore. I think Sam’s death reset my metaphysics to be less literal.. but their are lessons from my upbringing that I still value.  

 tomorrow  is the day that wraps up the contemplation of the last 10 days.. the days of Awe.. . Yom Kippur is the day where  you ask for forgiveness.. not just.. .. or maybe note even.. from a supreme being if you have one of those..  .. but for  me its more about  asking forgiveness from the people you  may have wronged over the last year.  Family, friends, coworkers, strangers and to  me that also includes stuff you’ve done wrong to yourself  (like making poor choices  about sleep) . You do this not to beat yourself up, but to redirct.. its kind of like a midcourse correction every year.. ..

I’ve done a bunch of thinking about what I’ve done.. and what I can do better.. .. I wont share them here.. it’s like telling soemone  what you wished for when you blow out birthday candles.. But .. it is useful to have a ‘cheat  sheet’. The ancient prayer Al Chet is repeated many times in the  liturgy of the next several days.. it lists 44 potential sins.. and .. it’s an acrostic.. (ie. each line begins with the next letter of the alphabet in the original Hebrew . Its quite a list.. .. Pride, stress, duplicity, lust, being judgmental.. r.. as a checklist.. it’s easy to find the ones you could avoid.. Some.. are a little out there.. (stoning, burning and decapitation.?!) .. 

Please read it. itll make you think

Al Chet 

For the sin which we have committed before You under duress or willingly.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by hard-heartedness.

For the sin which we have committed before You inadvertently.

And for the sin which we have committed before You with an utterance of the lips.

For the sin which we have committed before You with immorality.

And for the sin which we have committed before You openly or secretly.

For the sin which we have committed before You with knowledge and with deceit.

And for the sin which we have committed before You through speech.

For the sin which we have committed before You by deceiving a fellowman.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by improper thoughts.

For the sin which we have committed before You by a gathering of lewdness.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by verbal [insincere] confession.

For the sin which we have committed before You by disrespect for parents and teachers.

And for the sin which we have committed before You intentionally or unintentionally.

For the sin which we have committed before You by using coercion.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by  desecrating the Divine Name.

For the sin which we have committed before You by impurity of  speech.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by foolish  talk.

For the sin which we have committed before You with the evil  inclination.

And for the sin which we have committed before You knowingly or unknowingly.

For all these, God of pardon, pardon us, forgive us, atone for us. 

For the sin which we have committed before You by false denial and lying.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by a bribe-taking or a bribe-giving hand.

For the sin which we have committed before You by scoffing.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by evil talk  [about another].

For the sin which we have committed before You in business  dealings. 

And for the sin which we have committed before You by eating  and drinking.

For the sin which we have committed before You by [taking or  giving] interest and by usury.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by a haughty demeanor. 

For the sin which we have committed before You by the prattle of our lips. 

And for the sin which we have committed before You by a glance of the eye.

For the sin which we have committed before You with proud looks.

And for the sin which we have committed before You with impudence.

 For all these, God of pardon, pardon us, forgive us, atone for us. 

For the sin which we have committed before You by casting off the yoke [of Heaven].

And for the sin which we have committed before You in passing judgment.

For the sin which we have committed before You by scheming against a fellowman. 

And for the sin which we have committed before You by a begrudging eye. 

For the sin which we have committed before You by frivolity.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by obduracy.

For the sin which we have committed before You by running to do evil.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by tale-bearing.

For the sin which we have committed before You by swearing in vain. 

And for the sin which we have committed before You by causeless hatred.

For the sin which we have committed before You by embezzlement.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by a confused heart.

 For all these, God of pardon, pardon us, forgive us, atone for us. 

And for the sins for which we are obligated to bring a burnt-offering. 

And for the sins for which we are obligated to bring a sin-offering.

And for the sins for which we are obligated to bring a varying offering [according to one’s means].

And for the sins for which we are obligated to bring a guilt-offering for a certain or doubtful trespass. 

And for the sins for which we incur the penalty of lashing for rebelliousness. 

And for the sins for which we incur the penalty of forty lashes.

And for the sins for which we incur the penalty of death by the hand of Heaven. 

And for the sins for which we incur the penalty of excision and childlessness. 

And for the sins for which we incur the penalty of the four forms of capital punishment executed by the Court: stoning, burning, decapitation and strangulation. 

so.. If i have wronged you .. knowingly or unknowingly… i  apologize.. truly , honestly  and humbly . and  will strive to do less of that in the coming year..

Shana Tova everyone.. may you and your families be inscribed in the book of life for the coming year

nite all, nite sam

-me