Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Yom Kippur, the morning after

Yom shlishi, 11 Tishrei 5770.



Baruch Hashem, it was a very meaningful Yom Kippur at Chez Mizrachi.  And, thanks to learning physically sensible preparations over the years, the fasting was not difficult.

Following Yom Kippur, the minhag is to show Hashem how determined we are to change our natures by starting the morning prayers a bit earlier, and to be scrupulous about keeping other mitzvot and "new year's resolutions."  Walking off the weight is, as ever (sigh), high on the list of physical corrections we are working on.  In keeping with this custom, I arose at 5:30, davened, and then accompanied the Dearly Beloved on his earlier-than-usual walk to the Beit Knesset.  After dropping him off, I continued our usual walking route, stopping at the makolet to pick up sufficient milk and cereal to feed the starving hordes.

Please join me for a bit of our very lovely morning walk.



We are sweetly conscious of the fact that there are only a few days left to say the bracha "Morid HaTal," thanking Hashem for bringing the dew.


A fork in the road.  Shall I take the road less traveled?

Not today.  I think I'll take the path that allows for more steps on the trusty pedometer.


(Part of the fitness plan, to be followed by a healthy breakfast of yogurt, fresh fruit, and that cup of coffee I've resisted for over a week!)

Passing Jews on their way to Shachrit, I share in the warm greeting which may not be unique to Neve Daniel (though I have yet to hear it anywhere else):

"Boker tov!"  (Good morning!)

"Boker ohr!"  (Loosely translated as "Morning light!"  Quite the nicest exchange I've heard.)

And then the final ha'na'ah of the morning walk:  seeing the brothers on their way to morning prayers.






Thank you, Hashem.  Around all of my doubts and questions -- most of them about myself -- life is good.



!ברוך שם כבוד מלכותו לעולם ועד
 Blessed be the name of His glorious kingdom for ever and ever!


Glossary:
Minhag:  custom
Mitzvot:  commandments
Davened:  prayed
Beit Knesset:  synagogue
Makolet:  "corner grocery"
Starving Hordes:  your brothers, Sam
Shachrit:  morning prayers
Ha'na'ah:  pleasure

7 comments:

The Sussmans b'Aretz said...

Thank you for giving me goose bumps this morning. What a beautiful post. I loved taking your walk with you as well! May this be the best year yet for all of us.

lisacat said...

Hi there,

Yep, hit the elliptical machine at 05:30 this morning and watched the sun rise on Neve Daniel.

Lisa

Rona Michelson said...

Lovely pictures. Good luck with your resolutions!

Hillel Levin said...

Hey Sis,

Just read that a friend of ours died towards the conclusion of Y.K.

Simcha Esther bas Chaya Pesha, mother, daughter, sister, wife, granddaughter of Aharon the High Priest (Gershan) 41 of stage 4 lung cancer. Your Amish Sister and I danced at her wedding in Baltimore.

She married Yoni Gershan who sang us down the Aisle to our Chuppah.

The premier of her film, a story of her Journey is scheduled for 22 Oct in NY.

Next I opened your blog. What a beautiful blog. What a shining blog. What a way to put into perspective Life.

While involved with the Chevra Kaddisha in Milwaukee, Rabbi Benzion Twerski said that doing the taharot was just preparing the body for the next stage of life, The neshama and the guf will be reunited at the time of Mashiach.

Thank you Sis for sharing your walk. It helped me remember that perspective.

May you and all the Mizrachis and all of Klal Yisroel merit to bring karbonot to the Beit HaMiskdash this Sukkot.

Your Bro Hillel in Shiloh
hillel.leib@gmail.com

bataliyah said...

You really have a gift of bringing people into your world. I am richer for it. Please consider this incentive to keep writing from your corner of the world :-)

diane said...

Thank you so much big sister,

That was ever so beautiful what a wonderful place to call home! And my nephews are no longer boys. I love you and miss you so much. Thank you for this knowing you are safe. ~DJ

sparrow said...

Thank you so much for the walk and the chat, via your blog. Neve D looks a lovely place to live. Wish I could send you some of our greenery though.

We are just recovering from the emotional shock of the Tsunami in Samoa. So many of our friends and neighbours are affected by this, because the Pacific Islanders are part of our heritage here. Please Daven for these lovely gentle people who have lost so much.