Posted September 20 2007
In a Den of Thieves, Looking for Answers
As the final hours before the opening of the “holiest day of the year” are upon us, I wonder the same thing I always do. Who the hell do any of us think we’re kidding? A sincere day of introspection and change? Poppycock. Hanging in the balance between life and death? BS- you don’t believe it and you know it.
So what, in God’s Name, is everybody doing on Yom Kippur? A mass conspiracy? A cosmic joke?
You can disagree with me. I would love it if you could honestly disagree with me. I don’t believe most of the people here are qualified to disagree with the claim. If you’re young enough, you might remember when Yom Kippur was a day you made resolutions you intended to keep. If you have children who are between four and nineteen years of age: you are part of the conspiracy. The conspiracy to ask questions on Passover. The conspiracy to lick honey-shaped letters to learn an alphabet. The conspiracy that makes a game out of asking everyone you know for forgiveness days before we claim to believe the whole world is judged and sentenced.
But come now, you don’t change. Sure, maybe you’ll hear a speech that makes you feel guilty for not taking Yom Kippur seriously last year and you’ll resolve to take it more seriously this year. And you’ll believe yourself. For half an hour.
And don’t think for a second you’re the only one. Those who cheated on or outright ignored their taxes last year will do the same thing this coming year. If you illegally distributed copyrighted material last year, you’ll do it again this year. If you slacked off at work last year, I don’t think Yom Kippur is going to change you.
In the coming year you might have to be more cunning in how you cheat and steal and hide, but I don’t believe you’re going to stop. And I don’t believe I am either.
One thing I like to say is “I don’t believe that you believe in God; I believe that God believes in me.” I consider it a truth that if God does not believe in someone- they cease to be. The influence you have on the World, whether it be directly or indirectly positive (aka seemingly negative), is essential.
On this Yom Kippur, I pray that God believes in me for another year. And I will do my best not to let The Lord down. Understanding that even my sins make me who I am, am I wrong to keep them?
I find myself in a den of thieves, looking for answers. Your comments would be appreciated.
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