Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, can be a challenging subject for a lot of people. For some, it is a chance to make resolutions, accept the past, and commit to a better future. But for those struggling with mental illness, this process of self-criticism and introspection can be devastating to their mental health. Therefore, we all must do our best to cultivate self-acceptance and, above all, self-forgiveness, in a healthy and collected manner.
The Mikveh is an ancient Jewish practice that provides an incredibly powerful way to experience a transformation of the mind body and soul. It is a long standing tradition that people immerse in Mikva’ot before the High Holidays to spiritually prepare for the days ahead.
The Tashlich ritual is an expression of repentance, acceptance and forgiveness for how we mistreated others. But we must also forgive ourselves for the ways we mistreated ourselves, releasing those misdeeds and letting them flow down the river.
For people struggling with suicidal ideation, or went through a traumatic experience that left them emotionally drained — entering the synagogue and facing the prospect of a new year can be overwhelming. In those moments that feel daunting, we need to pause and hear the Shofar.
We look back at pages we have embossed with our deeds and misdeeds, active and passive. And we ask G-d to help us write a better page next year. For G-d to help us cope with all the hardships and blessings that come our way: flood, famine, plague, restlessness.
Consider the liturgy of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur: We are commanded to “choose life.” Teshuva, Tefilla and Tzedakah, repentance, prayer and charity, are your ticket to the Book of Life for another year. But what if that depresses you, rather than excites you?
On the surface, this all seems like a strange pairing of holidays. The two traditions and atmosphere of the two could not be more different. However, if you consider the fact that Tu B’Av follows the emotionally strenuous holiday of Tisha B’Av, there is truly significant overlap.