Yom Kippur - A Fulfilling Year
by Rabbi Lobel

Yom Kippur is approaching. It is always a positive virtue to reflect upon one's past. Reflecting upon mistakes should not be done to create a sense of guilt. Rather, it should be done to correct those mistakes and become a better individual.

My prayer, as a spiritual leader, is that our fellow Jews strive towards the words of the prophet Isaiah, “Here I (G-d) am! If you remove from your midst perversion, finger pointing, and evil speech . . . then G-d will guide you always, sate your soul in times of drought.” (58:9-11)

The Radak (verse 11) explains that G-d's “guidance” means that G-d will be intimately involved in all of an individual's endeavors. This in turn will satiate a soul in times when the world is void of all spirituality.

As we approach Yom Kippur, now is the time for introspection. Now is the time to ask “What do I want and how do I get it?”

Our materialistic world is filled with temptations for self-gratification leaving some feeling empty and void of true fullfillment.

True fulfillment comes with the understanding that G-d could be, and is, intimately involved in our lives. When we appreciate all that G-d does for us, we instinctively desire to be closer to him. As we turn to G-d, so does G-d turn to us. If we invite G-d into our lives, “G-d will guide [us] always, sate [our] soul in times of drought.”

We can all look back at our past and in retrospect realize that G-d was truly part of our lives. One must understand that he is only truly satiated when he knows that G-d is intimately involved in his life. Only then does prayer, with the will to be a better person, removing perversions from our midst, and life aspiration and visions have any meaning and fulfillment.

May we all merit a Gmar Chatima Tova