What gives me the right to criticize others and who do I think I am? Good question. I am a 38 year old religious soul who has studed ad nauseum my own mistakes and deficiencies in years gone by. Is this a qualification and am I "better than my fellow man". Clearly not. I am guilty probably of one or more of these heresies in my younger year. I must say that being a religious Jew, I have armed myself with book upon book to educated myself and develop my own sense of self awareness, self need, self betterment and self concern. I could list them all, but ... well just buy books from artscroll.com, feldheim.com, eichlers.com and any other orthodox Jewish website. I do wish to mention one in particular, two if I may. Jewish souls enter a month of tschuvah or repentance in Elul, the month before Rosh Hashana. I only began taking this commitment seriously about 3 years ago. Prior to this, I was in and out of synagogue and fortunately for myself in my days beginning in reform Judiasm, I READ intensely the sins that were denoted in the Gates of Repentance Jewish Prayer book. I took many seriously, thought of a few, remarked on others. Discovered that there are sins such as being quarrelsome, possessive, rancorous and xenophobia which are discussed never in the circles of the ones who preach morality, ethical behavior and righous ways. I have moved on to the book "Viduy" which I personally believe that every person on earth should have a variation of in some measure. This book is simple. You can read it and even see every main topic in a good 50 minute read or less. Its short. It fits on my bookshelf in such a manner that you'd never realize it was there.
But that said, Viduy which means "confession" is an essential contemplation and a great read. I will read it each year at that time and reflect on my own personal situation and personal contact with life. Read it. Read it 1000 times. Read it at least once a year. Find our who you really are. Decide who you really want to be. It works.
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