Years ago, as a child walking home from Chabad House on Yom Kippur eve, we passed by the (then mostly non-Jewish) Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity on Broadway and Oak and observed that they strung a massive banner from their roof declaring Happy Yom Kippur. We were amused by their ignorance of the seriousness of Yom Kippur. They were likely happy about the nominal nod Tulane gives it high percentage Jewish student body by giving off from class on Yom Kippur.
As I began to study Chassidus I reflected that they may have been on to something. While Yom Kippur is most certainly a serious day, it is also a day to celebrate in happiness. Yom Kippur is the day that we can access a closeness to Hashem that is unparalleled on any other day of the year. It is a day on which Hashem declares Himself to be close to us along with his desirousness of our reciprocal closeness. This is certainly something worthy of the most heightened joy.
So, Happy Yom Kippur to a Father Who is welcoming His children home after they have been away. (Having just picked up my daughters from the airport for a visit, I can appreciate that sentiment.) Happy Yom Kippur to children who are returning to the unconditionally loving embrace of their Supernal Father. Happy Yom Kippur to all of those utilizing the opportunity to scope out all of the negativity, dirt and static from their lives, thereby freeing themselves to fully engage in the loving closeness that can to be accessed on this unique day.
Logan Paul wrote...