Welcome back to your High Holy Days Prep Course! We have arrived at Week Five of our seven-week countdown to the New Year 5777! If you would like to catch up with the previous teachings and learn what this prep course is all about, you can find all the previous teachings on the mainpage of this BLOG.

“To err is human; to forgive divine.” - Alexander Pope

STEP ONE: INFUSION
Let's start this week on a positive note, with a music video from the Maccabeats in anticipation of Rosh Hashanah! It sums up our work for the High Holy Day season: “to go from where we are, to where we want to be.”

STEP TWO: A CHALLENGE
Now let’s embark on a writing exercise. Take out a piece of paper and make a list: who are three people you blame or resent for something negative in your life. Just write their name and a few words about what they did that hurt you.

STEP THREE: CONSIDERATION
Next, find the Tony Robbins documentary on Netflix: I’m Not Your Guru. Scroll to 17 minutes and witness his conversation with Sienna, a 19-year old from Newport Beach who struggles with food and her relationship with her father. You can also view it in low-quality here on YouTube. Bear in mind, this video uses strong language.

STEP FOUR: REFLECTION
Is there one person on your list that you’d be willing blame at the “level of your soul?” How would that transform your relationship and free you from the pain you harbor?

STEP FIVE: ACTION
If you’re willing, pick up the phone and call that person. Reframe the Blame. Forgiveness is healing: it lightens our load, increases our happiness, and decreases the harm done to others.

Maimonides even claims that we are commanded to forgive, saying:

“It is forbidden for a person to be cruel and refuse to be appeased. Rather, one should be easily pacified, but hard to anger, [forgiving]... with a complete heart and a willing spirit.”

And don’t forget that Hillel is here as your home (or home to anyone seeking a warm and inviting community) for the High Holy Days.  CLICK HERE for more information.