Today, along with the first anniversary of October 7th, we observe The Fast of Gedaliah. This year, both occur during the Ten Days of Teshuvah between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. I used the occasion of this fast day, some twenty-four years ago to enact: Moving Through Loss: A Wise Woman Ritual.
This day advocates The Thirteen Attributes of Mercy whenever we need divine compassion.
- Adonai is always merciful, even when (and we will) go astray.
- El has power over nature and humankind, indicating that mercy surpasses everything.
- .Compassionate/rahum is filled with loving sympathy for human frailty even in extreme temptation.
- Gracious/v’hanun shows mercy by consoling the afflicted and raising up the oppressed.
- Slow to anger/ereh apayim gives us time to reflect, improve, and repent.
- Abundant in Kindness/v’rav hesed tips the scales of justice toward the good.
- Truth/v’emet rewards those who stay true.
- Preserver of kindness for thousands of generations/notzeir hesed la-alafim allows the deeds of the righteous to benefit less virtuous generations.
- Forgiver of iniquity (nosei avon) always for forgiveness when the sinner repents.
- Forgiver of willful sin/pesha allows even those who commit a sin with the malicious intent, the opportunity to repent.
- – Forgiver of error/v’hata’ah forgives a sin committed out of carelessness, thoughtlessness, or apathy.
- – Who cleanses/v’nakeh is merciful, gracious, and forgiving to those who repent.
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BubbeWisdom 