Tag Archives: Yom Kippur

Word of The Day: Takiwātanga (Along With a Whole Lot of Other Stuff)

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Yom Kippur starts at sundown and now we are embroiled in a government closure because the repubs are all insane and will do anything to NOT release the Epstein files, apparently at any cost.

Did you see the debacle of the gathering of generals in Virginia who had to sit there and listen to the felon and his drunken lapdog? Good for them for not applauding and for looking stoic and aghast. Maybe there’s SOME hope for us. Maybe.

Lately, we’ve heard a lot of talk from the orange POS and his worm-brained head of Health and Human Services (what a joke) about acetaminophen causing autism. The brand Tylenol came out with a classy response.


When I was in the teaching program, one of my student teaching experiences was in a classroom where the students had some form of autism. This was an area that I planned to focus on as an educator. I never pursued it, but I learned that all children learn in different ways and it’s up to teachers and parents to respect the differences and help them achieve academically as well as being compassionate to these special little beings.

The Māori word for autism is Takiwātanga, which translates to “in their own time and space”. Created by Māori linguist and rangatira (chief) Keri Opai, this term was developed to describe the unique experience of individuals on the autism spectrum. It reflects the idea that autistic people have their own unique timing, pacing, and way of experiencing the world. 

This sounds like the perfect time for another version of “A Song for You” by the Master of Space and Time, Leon Russell, of course. So mercurial, he added something special to every performance, in his own time and space.

Happy New Year 5785!

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The elephant in the room is what’s happening in Israel. October 7 will mark one year since the armed conflict between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip and Israel. It’s the fifth war of the Gaza–Israel conflict since 2008, and the most significant military engagement in the region since the Yom Kippur War in 1973. I don’t have an opinion to share because I think all the killing is terrible with horrendous collateral damage.

Now is the time for an end to war and hope for long lasting peace.

Happy New Year! Shana tovah!

Rosh Hashanah is one of Judaism’s holiest days. It’s also a powerful new moon, which enhances the overall spirituality of this holiday.

Meaning “head of the year” or “first of the year,” Rosh Hashanah — the Jewish new year — marks the creation of the world.

It also marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days leading up to Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement. 

As is the custom with all new years, it’s a time to reflect on the past and how we can improve in the future.

This is the time for apples and honey to represent a sweet new year, to be eaten with challah bread and pomegranate seeds.

L’Shanah Tovah Tikateivu
“May you be inscribed [in the Book of Life] for a good year.”

Sunrise/Sunset | Shana Tovah!

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Happy New Year! Shana tovah!

Rosh Hashanah is one of Judaism’s holiest days. It’s also a powerful new moon, which enhances the overall spirituality of this holiday.

Meaning “head of the year” or “first of the year,” Rosh Hashanah — the Jewish new year — marks the creation of the world.

It also marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days leading up to Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement. 

As is the custom with all new years, it’s a time to reflect on the past and how we can improve in the future.

This is the time for apples and honey to represent a sweet new year, to be eaten with challah bread and pomegranate seeds.

L’Shanah Tovah Tikateivu
“May you be inscribed [in the Book of Life] for a good year.”

Purify | Purity

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It’s 6pm, perfect temp outside, all the windows and doors are open, and I’m listening to the joyful tunes of a mockingbird.

I think it must be looking for a mate on this beautiful autumn evening. https://enchantedseashells.com/2020/04/22/stars-meteors-and-mockingbirds-eine-kleine-nachtmusik/

The melody is extraordinarily pure; it brought to mind one of the Dalai Lama’s favorite mantras and mine, too: Om Mani Padme Hum.

I like the recitation of this mantra much better than the traditional way to commemorate Yom Kipper — Day of Atonement — to atone and repent for any personal sins and to resolve to be and do better in the new year by fasting along with other ascetic, restrictive behaviors.

In my opinion, working to be a better person should be a daily goal, not simply once a year to narcissistically flaunt one’s artificial moral righteousness to the world.

Did you know that you’re supposed to wear white on Yom Kippur? This is the clearest and most visible nod toward the idea of purity. By wearing white on Yom Kippur, you’re trying to appear truly angelic.

My mom thought that public displays of verbal flagellation for Yom Kippur were so hypocritical – one more reason why I was taught to question any type of authority.

Namaste…

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