Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Jewish
Health, Fitness and Religion
50 Years After the Yom Kippur War:For Me It’s Not Just About Forgiveness

50 Years After the Yom Kippur War:For Me It’s Not Just About Forgiveness

Last updated on: October 10, 2023 at 12:10 am by Susan P Lax

0 Comments

50 Years After the Yom Kippur War:For Me It’s Not Just About Forgiveness 2023-10-10T00:10:02-04:00 Susan P Lax

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

50 years after the Yom Kippur war, my soul remembers.

Yom Kippur is known as a day of atonement and self- forgiveness.

A time for reconciliation and spiritual growth.

However, for me, it is not just about forgiveness.

It is a reminder of my first true meeting with loss and grief.

The pains of war.

50 years after the war, my soul remembers.

I had just turned 15, it was a warm but comfortable Oct. day.

The quiet and peacefulness of Yom Kippur and Shabbat (Jewish Sabbath, Saturday)

appeared on the same day.

I was sitting in the yard of my parent’s Kibbutz home in Israel.

My father, and I were playing Shesh Besh, our usual Shabbat game.

Even on our secular Kibbutz, on this solemn day, no radios or TV stations played.

There was a tranquil quietude.

Suddenly, word got out, we needed to open the radio, conflict had erupted.

War had stolen the calm of Yom Kippur.

That was fifty years ago, a childlike innocence had left me.

BackGammon

Photo- Figist Co

The scenes that followed that moment would forever shape my relationship with Yom Kippur.

The scenes that followed that moment have forever shaped my relationship with Yom Kippur.

My new brother in-law, along with all the age-appropriate men were called up to serve.

Teenagers, women as well as the men that stayed behind took over all the Kibbutz chores.

My job was one that would shape my calling to work with those touched by grief and loss.

I was asked to accompany and show Army officers to the homes of fallen soldiers.

8 times I walked these officers to the front door of homes they wished they didn’t have to visit.

2 of these homes were my parent’s next-door neighbors.

There was no time for self -reflection, forgiveness or reconciliation, just moments to endure.

Only years later did I understand how unknowingly those days would guide my path.

Table and Chairs on Kibbutz Lawn

Photo-Susan P.Lax

I decided, the age of 45 was a good time to reconcile with Yom Kippur.

At the age of 45, I decided it was time to reconcile with Yom Kippur.

Basically, I wanted to familiarize myself with the spiritual gifts it offered.

Trusting that time had healed wounds.

A Jewish Spirituality student, I was thrilled to learn the different spiritual avenues of Yom Kippur.

I looked forward to my yearly Yom Kippur fast and soul cleansing.

A new relationship with Yom Kippur had been formed.

At least for a while.

I didn’t want to lose the spiritual Yom Kippur experiences I had so mindfully acquired.

Last week, I was listening to an Israeli news station, when I heard the next segment being announced.

“50 years to the Yom Kippur war.”

I could feel the wounds of the past flow through me.

Demons of my Yom Kippur relationship had once again come to visit.

The pathways to homes of the bereaved families were awakened.

Past sorrow and grief came knocking at my heart’s door.

I didn’t want to lose the spiritual Yom Kippur experiences I had so mindfully acquired.

So, I decided to write about it, here to you.

Acknowledging what was as I welcomed new healing.

Healing never ends, but with time I believe we welcome it with more ease.

May their memory be for a blessing.

I invite you to learn about my newsletter Morning Inspiration

and my book A Heart’s Landscape,An Invitation to the Garden of Moments

Religious Events

About Susan P. Lax

When one of Susan’s closest friends was fighting cancer and had to focus on trying to heal, they didn’t speak as often as they once did. To make sure Stephanie knew that Susan was always thinking of her each day, Susan emailed her friend a healing, positive thought first thing in the morning. Slowly, Susan discovered an ability to translate her heart words into written ones and more and more people began to receive Susan’s “Morning Inspiration” which is from where her book, A HEART’S LANDSCAPE, derived. Right now, especially with all happening in the world, Susan offers deep reminders with words and warm visuals – to take a moment and just pause – get away from the inundation and put the chaos away. Susan’s heart words and inspiring visuals guide readers to take a moment and escape all adversity and focus on carving out one joyful moment with the hope that it will lead to other good moments. You can read more about the author here.

Previous Post

September 13, 2023

What Feels Different About Rosh Hashana This Year

Next Post

October 5, 2023 Nurturing the Soul: How does Spiritual Practice Promote Good Mental Health

True or False: Philip baptized the Ethiopian eunuch after explaining Isaiah 53 to him.

Select your answer to see how you score.

TRUE FALSE