My Grandfather and Yom Kippur

For Yom Kippur  

  During the Mincha (afternoon) service on Yom Kippur, we read the Book of Jonah. Most assume that we read it because of its theme of repentance, exemplified by the non-Jewish citizens of Nineveh after the warnings from the reluctant prophet Jonah. It has been suggested that this service is an especially poignant moment for having our prayers answered [another theme of Jonah, when God rescues him from the belly of the great fish (Brachot 6a)].  

          For me, this service has special meaning. Many years ago, my grandfather Michael David (aka “Peepa”) joined us at my shul for Yom Kippur. When the Mincha service was ready to begin, the Cantor who was to officiate was too ill to proceed, and the Rabbi asked whether anyone in the congregation was familiar with the special nusach (melody) for the service. My grandfather volunteered, even though he was more than 80 at the time. He davened beautifully, so beautifully in fact, that he was asked to repeat his performance the following year, which he did. He was invited for a third time but unfortunately passed away before he could step up to the bimah again.

            I asked our Cantor, Edwin Gerber, if he would teach me the appropriate nusach so that I could undertake the role of shaliach tzibur like my grandfather had done. For the following several years, I had the honor of leading services as my grandfather had done. My work at other congregations kept me from continuing this annual tradition, but I was able some years later to again take on this honor, an honor I have frequently had since that time.

            For me, standing before the congregation and chanting the words my grandfather had done decades ago brings a deep and satisfying connection not only to him, but with our tradition. In my earliest memories, I recall standing with him at High Holy Day services, playing with the fringes on his tallit. He represented in my childish mind’s eye all of the generations of ancestors spanning the years back to our Jewish origins.

            At this auspicious time, when we are hungry, thirsty, and we are tired of facing down our fears, we might find comfort in the continuity of our tradition, which to me remains joined with memories of my beloved grandfather.  

May we all feel a special connection to our tradition, to our people, to our history and to God at this special time, and may we find in that connection the strength to make our fast meaningful.