Day of Atonement

[michal]

Yesterday was the Jewish Day of Atonement, a day of fasting and forgiveness, when Jewish people pray to be listed in The Book of Life in the coming year and pray for the memory of their departed loved ones.

Fasting this year was hard for me, as it is in the last few years. No food for 25 hours is easy enough for someone who's been dieting for over a decade, but no water... that's a whole different story. I was dizzy and aching through the last three hours.

And yet, this is a good time to think about forgiveness, about letting go of old angers. Someone said that anger is like destroying your house to get rid of a mouth, and to be honest - any time I collected the courage to forgive someone, especially those who didn't say they were sorry, I felt so much better that it was hard to believe I've waited so long.

Think about someone whom you would wish you could forgive. I'm sure there is someone, and what time is better than now to let the old anger go?

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

Thankee for your post, Michel, and I'll never forget Yom Kippur 1973.

Long days and pleasant nights

[Doc Wilson]

I used to struggle with forgiveness, now with the years passing so quickly I find it remarkably easy.

[Srbo]

Hi,

Thankee for your post, Michel, and I'll never forget Yom Kippur 1973.

Long days and pleasant nights

Mind to elaborate, bro ?
Thank`ee.

[Srbo]

I used to struggle with forgiveness, now with the years passing so quickly I find it remarkably easy.

For me, it was never to hard to forgive.
Takes a bit of time, and believe me, there were a lot of things that by human standards I should not have forgiven, but I did, and I`m proud that I found that strength in my heart.

The important part is not to forget, so it wont happen again.

[AngelZ]

I don't observe Yom Kippur, but I have family members that do and the rituals that are part of this holy holiday is beautiful.

I have a question that is related to atonement and forgiveness: Can you forgive a person if that person has not asked you for forgiveness? If that person has not acknowledged that he/she has done wrong, can he/she be forgiven?

[JohnDalglish]

Mind to elaborate, bro ?
Thank`ee.

Hi,

Yes, while the Jews were holding Yom Kippur in 1973 the combined forces of the Arabs attacked Israel, leading to not only a bloody war, but also worldwide oil embargoes and the collapse of many businesses on a scale not seen again till last year.

Long days and pleasant nights

[Roseasharn]

I don't observe Yom Kippur, but I have family members that do and the rituals that are part of this holy holiday is beautiful.

I have a question that is related to atonement and forgiveness: Can you forgive a person if that person has not asked you for forgiveness? If that person has not acknowledged that he/she has done wrong, can he/she be forgiven?

Well, I believe that forgiveness has very little to do with the other person, actually.
I mean, sure, someone else might be upset if you don't forgive them.
But the act of witholding forgiveness means you just keep carrying those feelings inside you.
Ick.
Too much energy wasted on something not worth the trouble is the way I've always looked at it.
And yes, I have been seriously wronged in my life.
But why carry that burden when you can lay it down?

Besides, I may need forgiveness someday and not be smart enough to ask for it.

[Bryan James]

I have a question that is related to atonement and forgiveness: Can you forgive a person if that person has not asked you for forgiveness? If that person has not acknowledged that he/she has done wrong, can he/she be forgiven?

If someone gives you a gift of anger and you do not accept it, to whom does it still belong? If you do not forgive the fault of another, and that other does not acknowledge the fault, who bears the burden of anger...for how long, and more importantly, why?

Forgiving others for their bad deeds is the highest perfect selfishness. It helps you more than it helps them.

[Kim L.]

I don't observe Yom Kippur, but I have family members that do and the rituals that are part of this holy holiday is beautiful.

I have a question that is related to atonement and forgiveness: Can you forgive a person if that person has not asked you for forgiveness? If that person has not acknowledged that he/she has done wrong, can he/she be forgiven?

Based on some really good advice I received, if someone has not asked you for forgiveness, you can forgive them if you want but you don't have to tie yourself in knots trying to make yourself forgive them.

[michal]

I have a question that is related to atonement and forgiveness: Can you forgive a person if that person has not asked you for forgiveness? If that person has not acknowledged that he/she has done wrong, can he/she be forgiven?

I believe that is the best form of forgiveness, because you are not forgiving after being asked to, but of your own free will to heal and to move on. I also think... well, sometimes there is no chance for people to ask our forgiveness - either because they don't feel that they've wronged us or that they've passed on.

I feel we owe ourselves to forgive them, to let go of our anger and hurt so we can become better - mainly towards ourselves.

PS
Sorry if I got too tacky. :oh: Forgiveness is a big word for a small brain like mine.

[poisonbat]

I forgive quite easily for those who have wronged me. I even befriend them if possible. But there are a few that I just don't know if I could ever forgive. These are my abusers. The ones who left me bloody and hospitalized. There are 2 of them. I am still mostly in hiding from these men, they made a lasting impression on me and took away a part of me that I am struggling to regain. I would really have to give this serious thought before I could say that I forgive this, but I have moved on. Does that count? :eyebrow: