How to Respect Aseret Yemei Teshuva

Aseret Yemei Teshuva is a 10-day-long observance in the Jewish calendar. This holy period begins with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and ends with Yom Kippur, called the Day of Atonement. Aseret Yemei Teshuva focuses on repentance, and people of the Jewish faith are strongly encouraged to think deeply about their behavior and beliefs and to repent accordingly.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Jewish calendar

Choose Your Level of Repentance

1. Pray every morning during Aseret Yemei Teshuva. This is how many Jewish people choose to reconnect with God, to remember His commandments and to renew their vows to fulfill the letter and spirit of the dictates of the Torah.

2. Fast, if you wish. Fasting is one of the most ancient Jewish traditions, and many Jewish people fast (to one degree or another) during Aseret Yemei Teshuva. Fasting is not only as a punishment for one's own sins, but also as a symbol of mourning for any wrongdoing that person has caused. Some fast by eating only at certain times of the day, while others cut out a certain type of food from the diet such as meat or bread.

3. Some fast by eating only at certain times of the day, while others cut out a certain type of food from the diet such as meat or bread.

Respect the Spirit of Aseret Yemei Teshuva

4. Contemplate your own personal sins during this time of atonement. Since only you can know what you need to atone for, to respect Aseret Yemei Teshuva completely you cannot simply follow the rituals by rote. Instead, you must spend at least some time contemplating your behavior.

5. Journal about your past year, make an appointment with one your synagogue's leaders or bring together a prayer group to deepen your commitment to this holiday, if you choose. Any contemplative devotion performed during this 10-day period can serve to aid in real, sincere atonement.

6. Attend a service called Selichot before Aseret Yemei Teshuva. This service is offered late at night on the weekend before Aseret Yemei Teshuva begins. It can be a powerful way to transform your attention from secular things to the sacred thought, and inspire respect for the sincere atonement this period is designed to encourage.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't take on any fast without speaking to your doctor and your religious counselor. Your doctor may allow you to cut out one or two types of food from your diet, but may disallow you to harm yourself by fasting too vigorously. Your rabbi may help you determine a proper fast for this period.

Resources

• Jewish calendar at Hebcal.com