Hubris from Revelation: the Social Engineering of Ultimate Truths [Monday, Period 2]

[atreideslioness]

"Last week, we covered Eid ul-Fitr," Ghanima began as people began taking their seats today. "However, this isn't only a holy time of year for Islam. Today is Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, which is one of the holiest days of the year for the Hebrew people. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with an approximately 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services. Yom Kippur completes the annual period known in Judaism as the High Holy Days."

"Yom Kippur is the tenth day of the month of Tishrei. According to Jewish tradition, God inscribes each person's fate for the coming year into a "book" on Rosh Hashanah and waits until Yom Kippur to "seal" the verdict. During the Days of Awe, a Jew tries to amend his or her behavior and seek forgiveness for wrongs done against God, known as bein adam leMakom, and against other human beings, or bein adam lechavero," she continued, pronunciation perfect. "The evening and day of Yom Kippur are set aside for public and private petitions and confessions of guilt. At the end of Yom Kippur, one considers one's self absolved by God."

"Now, Leviticus 23:27 decrees that Yom Kippur is a strict day of rest and of fasting," Ghanima said, moving to write on the board. "Five additional prohibitions are traditionally observed, as detailed in the Jewish oral tradition; Mishnah tractate Yoma 8:1."

1. No eating and drinking
2. No wearing of leather shoes
3. No bathing or washing
4. No anointing oneself with perfumes or lotions
5. No marital -- or non-marital sexual -- relations

"Total abstention from food and drink usually begins 30 minutes before sundown," she noted as she turned back to the class, "and ends after nightfall the following day. Although the fast is required of all healthy adults, it is waived in the case of certain medical conditions. Now, virtually all Jewish holidays involve a ritual feast, but since Yom Kippur involves fasting, Jewish law requires one to eat a large and festive meal on the afternoon before Yom Kippur, after the Mincha afternoon prayer. Wearing white clothing, and for men a Kittel, is traditional to symbolize one’s purity on this day."

"Today I'd like us to discuss the concepts of atonement and repentance as a group, and once class is over, I ask that you use the rest of the day for self-reflection. Last week was about joy and goodwill towards your fellow man; today is about being a better person."

[the ocd is in the house!]

Comments

Re: Class Discussion: Atonement

[trigons_child]

"The wrongs cannot be undone," Raven said quietly. "But a simple act of good can help restore balance."

Re: Class Discussion: Atonement

[weetuskenraider]

Oh, balance. A concept Tahiri was starting to spend a lot of time contemplating.

"To you," she said carefully, "is that the most important part? Restoring balance, regardless of whether it actually does anything to absolve you or that other person?"

Re: Class Discussion: Atonement

[trigons_child]

"I cannot absolve the other person," Raven said, shaking her head. "Not when he is unrepentant and continues to harm those around him. I can only help where I can and try to undo some of the damage he has done."

Re: Class Discussion: Atonement

[weetuskenraider]

Tahiri gave her a tiny, brief flicker of an understanding smile. "Why do you do it, then? And I don't mean that to sound like I don't think you should bother. I just want to know, if it doesn't do a thing to affect their history of wrongdoing, do you do it just because it's right? Or because you feel obligated?"

Re: Class Discussion: Atonement

[trigons_child]

"I do feel some obligation," Raven admitted, squirming just a little because she didn't want to exactly admit why. "But I would help others regardless."

Re: Class Discussion: Atonement

[weetuskenraider]

Tahiri understood the squirming; she'd be doing some of that herself if the question had been directed at her. "So in terms of atonement -- since that's what we're talking about here -- the important part to you isn't so much the record of wrongdoing, then, as long as you can do something to balance it out? Where's the real atonement lie? In how well you balance that out, or in your intent to do so?"

Re: Class Discussion: Atonement

[trigons_child]

"My intent, I believe," Raven said. "As long as it is an honest intention. Which it is."

Re: Class Discussion: Atonement

[weetuskenraider]

"I believe you," Tahiri said, extending a tendril of reassurance. "Who do you think benefits the most from your actions, then? I mean, in the end, is that a selfish act that might lead you the wrong way?"

Oooh, look whose issues were showing.

Re: Class Discussion: Atonement

[trigons_child]

"I...do not think it selfish," Raven said. "I would hope the people I aid benefit the most."

Re: Class Discussion: Atonement

[weetuskenraider]

"But," Tahiri pressed, with no intention of poking at anyone's issues other than her own, "what drives you to put so much effort into it? You have to have some kind of motivation."

Re: Class Discussion: Atonement

[trigons_child]

"It is not something I wish to discuss in class," Raven said. "But I will admit I do have motivation."

Re: Class Discussion: Atonement

[weetuskenraider]

Tahiri grimaced. Good one, Veila, way to be all insightful and Jedi-like. "Sorry," she said quickly. "But you've given me something to think about, so thank you."

Re: Class Discussion: Atonement

[trigons_child]

"I am sorry I cannot answer all of your questions," Raven said. "Perhaps later we can discuss this."

Re: Class Discussion: Atonement

[weetuskenraider]

Tahiri offered her a smile. "It's okay. I was mostly curious, but later, yes, I'd like that."