I have a complicated relationship with the High Holidays.
I love Rosh Hashanah. I always buy local honey and sample different local apples. Each Rosh Hashanah, I spend intentional time with community outside; one year in an apple orchard, one a picnic by a river with a swirling eddy, another a cold plunge in the bay after hearing the Shofar blow. Rosh Hashanah feels reinvigorating, full of possibility. I often find myself writing poetry, imagining a holy apple orchard, my soul sparkly and new.
But Yom Kippur always feels glum to me. I am sluggish when fasting; I feel weighed down and often sad. Though Yom Kippur is supposedly the holiest day of the year, the day when the veil between God and the world is the thinnest, I do not feel very spiritual or spirited. While I look forward to Rosh Hashanah, I dread Yom Kippur.
However, this may be because I have not been approaching the time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur the right way. Or rather, I have been skipping a ritual technology that is meant to link the two holidays in a way that is sustaining and meaningful.
There are 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, a period known as Teshuvah. The Days of the Teshuvah are 10 of the holiest days of the Jewish year. Teshuvah means repentance, and the idea is that during these 10 days, you make amends and ask forgiveness of anyone you’ve wronged, so that on Yom Kippur, you are sealed into the Book of Life.
As an artist, I’ve noticed that other Jewish artists have developed their own ways of engaging with Teshuvah, creating personal rituals for the 10 days. These rituals help them take stock of the New Year, foster an active relationship with God and self and reflect on their connection to repentance and forgiveness.
This year, I am committing myself to engage with Teshuvah in a way that is significant to me, instead of casually noting it as the time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. In particular, three methods have piqued my interest: having a journal practice, engaging with some of the prompts or card rituals, and creating art in nature. These three practices may inspire you, too.
1. Journaling
When it comes to journaling, I know people have different styles. I think the 10 days of Teshuvah would be a significant time to keep a dream journal. Rabbi Jill Hammer’s book, “Undertorah,” on prophetic dreaming, is an excellent guide on spiritual dreams. As a poet, I plan to write a poem each day, using poetry as a form of prayer to reflect. If you’re more interested in concrete reflections on the past year or creating goals for the upcoming year, the Hey Alma Days of Awe Journal might be the right fit for you — it’s a beautiful virtual diary filled with writing prompts, encouragement and Jewish quotes (ranging from Hillel to Seinfeld ), it’s downloadable, and it’s free!
2. Pull a card
I also have a practice of Angel Cards, where on Shabbat, I like to pick “angels” I need for the week. I created a little deck for myself, and I think of the angels as intentions or moods I want that week (Angel of Calm, Angel of Silliness, etc.). During Teshuvah, I will create more and pull each day instead of just once a week. If pulling cards isn’t for you, I could see this method applying to many other rituals. Just pick one that resonates — maybe choosing a daily intention, or lighting a candle every day — and commit to it for the full 10-day period.
3. Create art and/or hang out in nature
Lastly, I plan to spend these 10 days being outside as much as possible and intentionally creating in nature. Not only does this nourish my body, but I find that fresh air and water open my mind and make me more creative and more aware of my own spiritual goals. One thing I have done in past years around Rosh Hashanah is create a wish tree, where I invite friends to come over and hang their wishes for the new year on a tree. I plan to do this ritual again this year, and I also want to take on more personal projects.
I hope that through observing Teshuvah, in truly engaging in the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, I can feel more of the deep spirituality and holiness of this time, and be ready to greet Yom Kippur with a grounded outlook rather than dread. How will you use art to mark your 10 Days of Teshuvah this year?
