In a few days, millions of people who observe the Levitical laws (mostly Jews) will focus on the consequences and costs of wrongdoing. Many Jews don’t like to use the word “sin” because it’s so overused and misused by congregations who claim to be Christian, but for the sake of my Christian friends, Yom Kippur is a day to reflect on the consequences of sin.

Don’t misinterpret or misunderstand what happens this day. Traditionally, in ancient Israel, this was the big day for sacrifices – the Sabbath of Sabbaths. Yom Kippur is literally translated as the day of atonement. It was likely around this time, between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur that Jesus gave His famous sermon on heavenly rewards and the famous “Lord’s Prayer” (noted in Matthew 6). This is the time of year when we are more united in spirit than any other, and people would want to know how to pray so it makes sense that prayer is on everyone’s mind.

Fasting is a central part of Yom Kippur. For about 25 hours no food or drink is taken – even water. Nothing in this world is to distract us from contemplating how each action and spoken word is a catalyst that sets a series of good or evil in motion and how God commands us to be aware. Even today some Jews will use this opportunity to bring attention to themselves rather than to God. They make a childish scene about how much pain they’re in (either from the fasting or how terrible they feel from some menial act).

This year, I choose to remember that this is God’s time we’re stepping into, and that there’s nothing we do – good or bad – hidden or in public – that escapes His eyes. In retrospect, this is very much the same purpose of the kippot (or yarmulke for my Yiddish friends). The small skull cap is worn to remind us that in the same way in which it rests upon our heads – whether we feel it or not, whether we see it or not – God is above us, watching what we do. It serves as a conscience booster to draw in us a desire to be better.

It’s more than a coincidence that Kippur and kippot look so much alike. Kippur is: כּפּוּר and kippah is: כּפּה – at the risk of over-interpreting the root, Kaph and Pey (כ and פ, respectively) together they could mean “completely redeem”, though I haven’t consulted a learned Rabbe on this matter. I do know, however, that Kippur has several meanings, one of which is frost – frost is a substance required for life (water) that covers everything white (Isaiah 1:18). Another meaning for Kippur is “freezing”, which might have some reference to how the records in the book of life are supposedly frozen on this day as the the book is closed and sealed.

One day out of the year to reflect on the consequences of our inappropriate behavior does not undo our wrongs. The scripture is even clear in Leviticus 16 that without blood there is no atonement. As a believer in the Messiah, I see a direct link between Yom Kippur, God’s righteousness, my wrongdoings, and the Blood needed to atone for them (Matthew 27:51 – Yom Kippur involved the room behind the veil of the temple). The fasting, praying and repenting are more than lip-service, but less than actual compensation for the affects of my sin. Nevertheless, there is a redemptive quality in solemn repentance. We recognize our need for God to show us the way to righteousness and to forgive us. Recognizing that we are made in the image of God, we also reflect on the need for us to forgive others and lead others towards the path of salvation. This is reflected in the book of Jonah, which is traditionally read on this day.

Although this day is filled with heaviness, the premise is to draw us towards the liberty and freedom of forgiveness, peace and love that only God can provide.

Gmar Chatimah Tova (May your name be written in the Book of Life)

For the past decade I’ve been responsible for cooking the Seder dinner. It’s gotten more elaborate over the years – particularly the desserts because we get invited over to a friends house for one of the Seder meals.

Last year I created rosewater meringues dipped in rum syrup. It was delicate, light, kosher and surprisingly good. This year I made two deserts. One to bring to our friends’ Seder and one for fun. The one to bring to their Seder is the famous François Payard’s Flourless Chocolate-Walnut Cookies. To keep completely kosher, I had to grind my own sugar. Although the soft white powder looked good in the food processor when I was done … it was still very coarse. Other than that, the recipe was followed to a “T” (as in “Tanuch”) and came out very, very good. Our hostess will be pleased.

The second dessert I made didn’t turn out so well – Crème brûlée. The cream over-boiled, the custard didn’t set (even keeping it in the oven an extra 1/2 hour didn’t help), and because there was less custard (I lost about a cup of cream to it over-boiling), the sugar ratio was too high and made it too sweet. The ramekins were too small, so the extra 1/2 cup of cinnamon sugar spread amongst the 2-inch tops was too much and I didn’t have a torch.

Surprisingly, the top sugar melted perfectly in the oven at the high broiler setting. And other than it being to sweet, the flavor was spot-on. And they looked cool. At least they’re kosher. So I learned the following – watch your cream carefully … once it starts to boil, it can overflow or burn within seconds. I used 5 yolks … next time I’ll use 6 or 7 to help it set better. Some potato starch would have helped it to set, too. Finally, when adding the sugar on top, skip what the directions say and make the portions fit the ramekin size. A thin layer of sugar is better than a thick one.

Most self-proclaimed Christians only pray on Sunday at church when led by a pastor. More religious Christians also pray before each meal. The uber-spiritual Christians also pray each morning or evening with their Bible devotion. But what about Jewish customs?

When I first got into Judaism I was surprised that, as guests invited over to a family’s house for dinner, the prayer occurred after the meal. I’ve asked several Jews about this and have gotten back several responses ranging from the comical to the over-analytical. For example, one Jew told me that you thank God for the food afterwords to factor the rare situation that it was poisoned … in which case you could thank God personally to His face. Some Jews start to recite laws and commandments, which is fine… but then why would God command us to pray after the meal instead of before?

I read on a blog that a Rabbi had been consulted in the matter and answered “It is easy to eat the meal and then forget God’s blessings on a full stomach, so the Jews ate first and then stopped to thank God for the blessing.” I like that. I like it a lot. I’d add to it, though, that many Jews pray before and after the meal. Before the meal, you’re forced to stop and reflect on the goodness God provides. It turns out to be good for digestion, too, since it forces the people at the table to calm down and relax. After the meal, you’re faced with remembering God after being satisfied and brings a nice, formal closure to the event.

Thinking about this also reminds me of the account of Jesus and the ten lepers mentioned in Luke 17:11-19. Ten men with a fatal disease plead with Jesus to help them. Instead of giving them money or sprinkling pixy dust, he orders them to go see the priests. That’s it. But they knew scripture well enough to know what that meant. In Levitical law it states that when someone has disease and goes to a priest, it’s for examination. These lepers knew that a medical examination would be pointless unless they were healed of leprosy. That faith drove them to the priests who announced them clean and clear of the disease.

Only one of the ten came back to Jesus and the LORD makes a point of it.

Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?

We need to be that 10% who thanks God after providing for us. This is especially true since, as His people, we set the example.

Just as important, let’s strive to thank our neighbors and the strangers who do small things for us. How many times have people slowed down in a parking lot to let you cross in front of them, or swept the floor after a meal so you wouldn’t be stepping on sticky crumbs, or opened the door for you… anything big or small should be recognized, appreciated and thanked since they took the time and thoughtfulness to recognize and show appreciation towards you. We need to make our gratitude known, too. A hearty smile with a look in their eyes while you say the words mean much more than mumbling “thanks” while you look at the ground. Don’t forget the classic hand-written thank-you notes and cards. With all the junk mail we get in the post box, a kind letter rekindles a feeling of humanity and warmth.

Praying before a meal instills patience and praying after a meal instills gratitude; these provide critical lessons in life we have the opportunity to practice to perfection three times a day.