It’s the second of the High Holy Days. So to speak.

Last week I wished you L’Shana Tova, a happy and sweet new year. The beginning of the Jewish New Year.

On Rosh Hashanah it is written, on Yom Kippur it is sealed. We hope our names are written in the book of life, so we will see another year.

Tonight begins the fast, at sundown, tomorrow is the Day of Atonement. The Day of Atonement is a day for reflection, prayer, asking for forgiveness. We fast because we should only have one thing to focus on, reflection.

You can begin observing at any age, but when you become Bar or Bar Mitzvah, it’s expected, you’re a man or woman and looked to to follow the laws and traditions. That being said, you might be wondering what if you’re ill or on medication, all part of life and while it’s ‘expected’ you do what is comfortable, so to speak, and what doesn’t jeapordize your health.

I wished you sweeteness last week, this week, I askforgiveness. We say to one another ‘If I have wronged you in any way, intentionally or unintentionally, I apologize’. My dad likes to remember when GES said, if you wronged me in any way, I forgive you.

I was born the day after Yom Kippur. This is a very special day. Needless to say, my mom wasn’t fasting the day before I was born! That being said, it doesn’t I don’t fast on the day I was born! Many times throughout my life, I have been in shul observing Rosh Hashanah or fasting for Yom Kippur. My most vivid memory of this, my 18th birthday, fun… but… My birthday cake, said “happy chai!” This was so special because the number 18 is, special and in Hebrew, its chai.

Now, if you’re following along, any guesses what I started doing tonight at sundown? And… any guesses what tomorrow is? A very special day, on multiple fronts.

So, I will leave you with this… If I have wronged you in any way, intentionally ot unintentionally this year, I apologize.

An easy fast my friends and a good Yom Tov.