Whale Watching

On Yom Kippur we read the book of Yonah, the prophet who tried to get out of his celestial 'mission impossible' to travel to Ninveh, an enemy of Israel, to warn the locals to repent so that God wouldn't destroy them. By trying to hide from God he got a 3 day whale of a ride and had to go anyhow. Adding insult to injury, they actually did repent (at least for awhile) and so he had to deal with that, too, along with a lesson in God's mercy to all humankind.

It's obvious why we read this (allegorical?) tale on our own Day of Repentance, coming to a synagogue near you this Shabbat.

It's less obvious but becomes clearer with time (read: age) that there is no hiding from God and it's best to acknowledge Him, even, or maybe especially, when we'd rather He wasn't watching and/or listening.

It's just flat out strange that the name Yonah has been appearing in our local media all week. You see, the day after Rosh Hashana 8 Israelis were killed in a plane crash on the Thai island of Phuket. The entire week has been devoted to the tragedy and the attempts to identify their badly burned bodies. In addition to the sorrow of 8 young lives ended, there was tremendous poignancy regarding 2 honeymooning couples, all friends, who died together. Coverage of their families focused on, yes, Kfar Yonah, a small and little known community where 3 of the 4 grew up and still lived.

What I used to see as coincidences I increasingly interpret as signs. What they mean, though, often eludes me, although since I love to talk to people I get a lot of interesting ideas back when I share my thoughts. I don't know what's right (I'm not young enough to know everything anymore) but lfe is certainly a whole lot more meaningful.

Off to scarf some food, since it's considered as big a mitzva to eat on the day before YK as it is to fast on YK itself. (Ya gotta love this religion).

A meaningful fast to all. May our sins be forgiven and forgotten, and may all of mankind merit the mercy of our Maker for the coming year.

The Eve of Rosh Hashana

Yes, 'tis the season of soul searching and repentance, the anniversary of the creation of mankind.
With that I ask forgiveness from you, my loyal readers, for this month long break in my postings. There are a few good reasons and more than a few so-so ones, but my Jewish New Year resolution list includes breaking my bloggers block and getting back to business here. This post will be short and to the point. (Mainly since there is still much to do before this 3 day holiday commences.)

I just heard yesterday that as the astrological sign for this month is Libra, symbolized by scales for justice, it's clearly not only the tribe of Israel that saw this time of year as one for reflecting on one's own life and vowing to do better in the future. Would that we all will succeed in doing some tinkering, since being a better person is inherent in becoming a better Jew.

Ah, Dani is home from the base. I hope that means the tension has lessened and war is not imminent. If it is, may our leaders make the right decisions and for the right reasons, and may it end quickly with no casualties and in a decisive victory over those who wish to destroy us. Please G-d. So now you know what is on the top of my wish list, ahead of blogging regularly. Just.

Shana Tova to all Am Yisrael. May Hashem grant us peace in our Land, whether we deserve it or not. Hopefully, though, because we do.