A Fast of Meaning

Last year, I talked about why I don't want to wish you an easy fast.

This year, I'm not fasting.
Here's why:

28 weeks...and counting!

Fasting isn't the only way to make atonement, to immerse oneself in the feeling of repentance and holiness that comes with this most powerful of days. I know this. The holiday will still work its "magic" on me, it will still fill me with the sense of awe and wonder, the sense of majesty and power that comes with the words of Al Cheit and Vidui, with hearing Sh'ma Koleinu and Avinu Malkeinu. I will still strive for my own moment of Divine connection, my own moment to say "Hineni - I am here."

From Rabbi Simkha Weintraub, a meditation for one who cannot fast:
Ribbono shel Olam/Master of the Universe;
Creator of All, Source of All Life,
Who Knows What is Deep in Human Hearts,
Who Nurtures Every Living Being:
As You know, dear God,
Yom Kippur is fast approaching, and because of my condition,
I am not able to keep the traditional fast –
I cannot abstain totally from eating.
On this Day of Atonement, this Sabbath of Sabbaths,
this year and every year,
it is so central to join the people of Israel
in denying ourselves food and drink for one day
so that we focus on correcting our misdeeds,
on knowing our mortality;
on reaching for a life of Torah, mitzvot, and lovingkindness;
on You.
You know, dear God, that it is not my intent
to be apart from our people and our tradition.
My current state of health makes it unsuitable for me to fast
So, dear God, I turn to You now in sincerity and openness:
Help me in the coming year to do my best in guarding my health.
Help us, Your children, learn how to protect our bodies from harm.
Help us support others in caring for their tzelem Elokim, their Image of God.
Teach us to help one another grow and thrive in Body, Mind, and Spirit.
Guide caring family and health care professionals in their partnering with you
to bring healing if not cure, support and strength if not an end to symptoms.
And if there is an opportunity for me to help others who suffer
by doing something they need or by being attentive company –
Grant me the ability to do this mitzvah with love and devotion.
Rofeh khol basar/Healer of all living creatures:
I thank You for the breath that is in me
for the community of Israel that lives
for the possibilities of today and tomorrow.
May my eating be as a fast;
May it be dedicated to You, to T’shuvah –
to the Renewal and Restoration of my Relationship
to You, to Others, and to Myself.

In whatever way you observe Yom Kippur, may you find meaning and blessing in its observance, and may we all be sealed for a year of blessing and wholeness. G'mar chatima tova.

P.S. Look at this nice link up from the BlogHer site! Thanks!
P.P.S. The new Jewish Book Carnival is up over here.
P.P.P.S. There wasn't a Haveil Havalim but the Kehila Jewish Blog Carnival is here.