Page 16 - ARUBA TODAY

A16 LOCAL
Friday 29 September 2017

Observances Begin this Evening:

Yom Kippur at Beth Israel Led by Rabbi Daniel Kripper

ORANJESTAD - Yom Kip- pur fast also enables us
pur means “Day of Atone- to put aside our physical
ment” and refers to the an- desires to concentrate on
nual Jewish observance of our spiritual needs through
fasting, prayer and repen- prayer, repentance and
tance. Part of the High Holi- self-improvement.
days, which also includes Yom Kippur is the moment
Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kip- in Jewish time when we
pur is considered the holi- dedicate our mind, body,
est day on the Jewish cal- and soul to reconciliation
endar. with God, our fellow human
beings, and ourselves. We
In three separate passag- are commanded to turn
es in the Torah, the Jewish to those whom we have
people are told, “the tenth wronged first, acknowledg-
day of the seventh month ing our sins and the pain
is the Day of Atonement. we might have caused. At
It shall be a sacred occa- the same time, we must be
sion for you: You shall prac- willing to forgive and to let
tice self-denial.”(Leviticus go of certain offenses and
23:27). Fasting is seen as the feelings of resentment
fulfilling this biblical com- they provoked in us. On this
mandment. The Yom Kip- journey we are both seek-

ers and givers of pardon. Israel on Aruba will begin the Torah Reading and
Only then can we turn to at 6pm on Friday, Septem- sermon, followed by the
God and ask for forgive- ber 29 with Kol Nidre. On Musaf service.
ness: “And for all these, Yom Kippur morning we Then we’ll meet again at
God of forgiveness, forgive will gather for the morning 4pm for ‘Ask the Rabbi,’
us, pardon us, and grant us service at 9:30am, with sto- followed by Mincha ser-
atonement.” rytelling time for children at vice at 5pm, and at 6pm
10:30am. Ne’ilah (the closing service
Beth Israel Aruba: Yizkor (the memorial ser- of the day), Maariv and
Our observance at Beth vice) will take place after Havdallah, the blowing of
the shofar.
Break-the-Fast is scheduled
for 7pm.
Join us in wearing white;
join us in song and prayer;
join us in whatever ways
will most speak to your
heart and soul this year as
Yom Kippur unfolds.

Yom Kippur Food Drive
5778:
Project Isaiah: Beth Israel
will hold its annual food
collection drive during
the week leading up to
the end of Yom Kippur.
From now until October
10, 2017, collection boxes
will be in the Social Hall to
gather donations of non-
perishable food items. On
Wednesday, October 11,
2017, we will deliver our
contributions to Ambiente
Feliz, a home for elderly
challenged members of
the Aruban community.

Wishing everyone a g’mar
chatimah tovah — may
we be sealed for goodness
in the year to come.
-Rabbi Danielq