Yom Kippur: Father's Day for the Jewish People

by Mrs. Lori Palatnik

Showing God how we really feel.

Published: September 15, 2007

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Visitor Comments: 14

(14) Anonymous, September 13, 2010 12:27 AM

Being human is a difficult task. There are many "days" that are special in Judaism and Yom Kippur is the most difficult for more reasons than the fast. None of us should be hypocrites but like you said "I get a little insane" and that is how it is for many if not most. Yes, I hope the fast is an easy one because I want to concentrate on the most important thing and that, to me is being completely sincere with Hashem. Only Hashem can seal us for a sweet, clean, good, wholesome and prosperous year. Of course I hope the fast happens to be the easiest part. It has to come from the heart. We just happen to like our foods. For me, the more traditional the better. I am converting so I love all those traditions that someone else might say, "not brisket again not tsimmis again"... well not me. I like your messages Lori and I thank you for this one and I take to heart the words regarding an easy fast. There are so many things that are more important on which to focus. Sweet, Year, Happy, Hashem.

(13) MARIA, June 9, 2010 1:14 PM

FATHERS DAY FOR EVERYBODY

Yon Kippur should be Fathers Day for the whole world.

(12) Daniel, June 9, 2010 1:13 PM

Thanks for this video

Great speech, it will certainly will make my fast more meaningful.

(11) Miss Catherine Manna, June 9, 2010 1:13 PM

Thank You!

Your right Lori, we are not perfect, we Wish we were. We make mistakes, and sometimes we forget. We can only try, try our best, God knows. And every year, like today, we realize something new about ourselves. Let us "try" to make every day, "fathers day"! I love you Lori, I love God, and.... I love all of his people!! They maybe small in number, but they are big at heart! amein!

(10) judy, June 9, 2010 1:13 PM

I was very moved by your 'Father's Day' talk. It is exactly how I feel before Yom Kippur. Thank you. I can now approach Y.K. not as a failure or a sham but as this amazing person I would want to be even tho' I know I won't be able to rise to it.

(9) Matityahu, June 9, 2010 1:12 PM

Easy fast???

I am disappointed of an otherwise wonderful teacher whom I love to listen to. When I have hated the greeting "have an easy fast" since my turning from a Reform setting to an Orthodox one, now I have hear you, Lori, make the same greeting. How does one affict his/her soul when he/she expects an easy fast? I'm glad you use "meaningful fast", my favorite.

(8) Anonymous, June 9, 2010 1:12 PM

amazing

Lori, Thanks so much for putting me in an amazing frame of mind as we go into yom kippur. That was wonderfully put. G'mar Chatimah Tovah to you and your loved ones!

(7) mr schmelczer, June 9, 2010 1:11 PM

this clip made my day

(6) Odelia, June 9, 2010 1:11 PM

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you

Thank you so much Lori for sharing that. It really touched me and put me in a positive frame of mind for Yom Kippur. And I think it's so important to keep in mind that we're being not hypocrites (as I often feel about myself). I just sent the link to this video to all my friends and to a listserv that I'm a member of. Gmar Chatima Tova and may we all be granted a life overflowing with an abundance of blessings.

(5) Anonymous, June 9, 2010 1:10 PM

I love, looove, LOOOVE Lori's refreshing spin on life in general!!!

I adore Lori's refreshing views and opinions. She is truly a Human BEING. I am so sick and tired of all those people preaching brimstone and fire...How often tdo we hear that Hashem has the book of judgment open and he is weighing our sins bla bla bla. Lori focuses on the positive and this gives me the strength to face another Yom Kippur with a healthy attitude. Thank you Lori for reminding us that we are all human BEINGS... we must work hard and try our best to be the best people we can be. You ROCK!!!!

(4) Anonymous, June 9, 2010 1:10 PM

just remember you got to be the one to call your father!

I think it trully made my outlook on yom kippur more encouraging, thank you! But don't forget that we have to be the ones to call our father to us!!!

(3) ruth housman, June 9, 2010 1:09 PM

being human

This is a very "real" description of us all. We falter, we fall, we pick ourselves up again and try all over again. It is a very special, very holy day. I am especially aware of this living in the northeast where we do see that blaze of color so reminicent of that "burning bush".

(2) Derek Fisher, June 9, 2010 1:09 PM

Bang on

The video hit the true meaning of Yom Kippur banang in the right p[lace. It showed human traits that we all show. This being loving one minute and then going the opposite way the next , it showed forgetfulness that we all suffer from at some stage . Above all it is telling us to hold this day special and on this day nit to forget and to be loving but also to show our Father that we are omly mere mortals who have traits and to forgive us whem we walk on the wrong side . It is human to err but it is a spiritual blessing to behold the holiest day of the year. Finaaly I have to say that I have the utmost respect for you and your organisation . I spent Rosh Hashanh in the company of several Aish members and attended two services and I was very impressed. Well done amd keep up the good work.

(1) Derek Fisher, June 9, 2010 1:08 PM

Bang on

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About the Author

Mrs. Lori Palatnik

More by this Author >

Lori Palatnik is a writer and Jewish educator who has appeared on television and radio, and is the author of "Friday Night and Beyond: The Shabbat Experience Step-By-Step," "Remember My Soul - What to do in Memory of a Loved One," and co-author of "Gossip: 10 Pathways to Eliminate It From Your Life and Transform Your Soul." She is a much sought-after international speaker, having lectured in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Central America, South America, South Africa and Israel, including featured talks at Yale, Brown and Penn. She lives in the Washington D.C. area, with her husband, Rabbi Yaakov Palatnik. Lori is the Founder of The Jewish Women's Renaissance Project, an international initiative that brings over 1,000 women to Israel each year from ten different countries on highly subsidized programs to inspire them with the beauty and wisdom of their heritage. She is the busy mother of five children, ages 24 to 14; and her son, Zev, just finished serving as a sharpshooter in the IDF. Her weekly video blog, "Lori Almost Live" is a popular feature on aish.com, viewed by over 50,000 people each month.

Follow Lori on Twitter, @LoriAlmostLive

Yom Kippur: Father's Day for the Jewish People

Showing God how we really feel.

Visitor Comments: 14

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