Who Are We: A Yom Kippur Message

 Dear Friends,


During Yom Kippur it is no  surprise that this column will be about forgiveness.

I am intrigued by the moment in which Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers in the Biblical story  of Joseph (Genesis 37-ff.)

After a number of events, Judah, one of his brothers, offers a touching speech to Joseph and  his sincerity finally overwhelms Joseph. He clears the room, cries, and then turns to  his brothers and says, "Ani Yosef" (I am Joseph) and reveals himself to them.

After years of reading this section, this year it seems to me that Joseph, who is known  as a dreamer, also becomes a person who wants to be known as one who forgives.  He says that although the brothers meant to hurt him, that G-d wanted the  events to  unfold as they did.  We  remember that Joseph  predicts the famine and saves the world by encouraging the Egyptians to put food into storage for the seven bleak years.

Joseph exhibits his faith by forgiving his brothers and by being able to look at the positives that emerged from his difficult experiences.

I hope that as we think about who we really are, that we will be forgiving, seek forgiveness, and have faith that our actions will be well received.  Perhaps we can all recognize our humanity and be more merciful and compassionate toward ourselves and toward others.

I hope that all of you who  are reading this who fast will find your fasting to be meaningful.

G'mar hatimah tovah, may we all be sealed for a healthy, safe, fulfilling, and sweet new year.

Rabbi Bruce Aft 

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