EXILE, REFLECTION, AND RESOLVE

Jerusalem and the Herodian Temple which were destroyed in 70 C.E.

Last week we looked at Jewish tradition of the weekly day of rest or Shabbat, referred to as "Shabbat Ambience."
This week we look at the more cosmological or essential events of life and death, sins and atonement. Through the High Holy days, prayer and fasting, Jews appear to review their living experience and place it in the context of a future bounded by our human mortality.
Three persons speak to this annual journey of spiritual pilgrimage taken by all observant Jews. Rabbi Alan Lew (who also practiced Zen Buddhism for 10 years), Abraham Lubin, Cantor, and Rabbi Joel Tessler give the Jewish perspective from their experience and understanding.

For Discussion and reflection:

High Holy Days:
Tisha B'Av, Rosh Hashana, and Yom Kippur and the life of the Jew.
What experience do we have of exile?
What does it mean to have a mixed religious/spiritual background?

The Cantor:
Prayer and Song:
How do we see the role of prayer and song in our experience?

Forgiveness of Sin vs resolve:
What is forgiveness?
What is resolve?

What can we take from the Jewish experience of High Holy Days for our lives betterment?

Walter Morton for Terra Incognita