Today is Yom Kippur, the Day of Repetence. In the States, we would have woken up, got dressed, hoped in the car, and drove to services. We would have had to deal with the hustle bustle of a normal day in Cleveland. Just a day where 80,000+ people were purposefully fasting and going to services instead of work.

Jerusalem is different. Today, the city is quiet. It’s not 80,000 people that are fasting and going to services…it’s the entire city. Walking back from services last night was like living in a ‘Twillight Zone’ episode. People were all dressed up walking down the middle of the streets going to and from services. Visiting with friends and seeking forgiviness or just hanging out with friends and shooting the breeze. Today is the one day of the year, that there aren’t any cabs on the road, or cars driving around. For the first time since I got to Jerusalem, it’s quiet.

As many of you know, Yom Kippur is a day of repetence. For the last month, Jews around the world have been reflecting over their past year and looking at the mistakes or sins, and trying to make amends. Instead of just thinking about the bad things you’ve done, you’re supposed to seek amends for it. Ask the person for forgiveness. It is also traditional, that if someone asks you for forgiveness, that you give it. That all mistakes happened last year, and that you have a fresh year ahead of you. Today is the last day. The day where you hope you’ve done enough, and that you can start the new year with a clean slate.

Walking around the city makes you feel reflective. The distractions and annoyances of daily life are just gone. No Israeli drivers speeding down the street honking left and right at any little annoyance. Or steroes blaring music. No sounds of speeding cars or down shifting trucks. No sounds of construction. Just the sounds of humans talking as they walk down the street.

Today, the site rests and reflects. The mood of the city makes it hard for me to just pick up my laptop, play a computer game or do something meaningless. I sit here thinking about my year about the crappy things that I’ve done, and the amazing things I’ve done. About the things that I would change in myself, and the things that I’m proud of.

Each year, you are supposed to look at yourself and look at the sins you’ve committed. As I sit here, I am not spending a lot of time about the times that I lost my temper and yelled at the stupid help desk people at Capital One, AT&T, or TIme-Warner Cable. I’m thinking about the times that I’ve hurt the people that are closest to me. The times I’ve lost patience with Jess or my Mom. Or not called my grandmothers as often as I should have. Sadly, the list can go on and on…but I guess that is part of being human. Ironically, I’ve also reflected on the fact that it is easier to seek forgiveness on a blog that my whole family and friends will see, then to actually call up the person and forgive them.

If you are celebrating Yom Kippur today, then I hope you have a short and easy fast. I hope you have a good day of reflection and remember that the ones you have hurt the most are probably the ones you love the most. If Yom Kippur is not part of your religion, I hope you can also look at someone you love and just say that you’re sorry for the last time you yelled at them, or did something that you regretted.

May you be written in the book of life for one more year,

Chad