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Followup - Erev Yom Kippur

We had a very nice shabbat. Our three guests, Elka, Sarah and Ariela were very nice. They participated in shabbat preparations and helped out the whole time they were with us. We even got them to play Killer Bunnies. They were real troopers, because while this game usually lasts about 45 minutes, our game lasted close to three hours. Kudos to their determination. Ariela almost won the game, holding 16 of the 20 carrots at the end, but Joey was the lucky recipient of the fated magic carrot and hence the winner.

On Erev Yom Kippur, we prepare to receive judgement for the coming year. I had a very visceral experience with one of the more odious sins, Spreading a Bad Name. This malady is specifically when people spread true stories about a person that cause that person hurt or loss. I inadvertently told someone about a conversation that I had, and that led directly to this sin. I'm disappointed that this happened and will try to work harder in the coming year. One person suggested to me that when you hear such a story, you should say: That is inappropriate and I would prefer not to hear about it. I'll take that message to heart.

The afternoon before Yom Kippur, there is a tradition to eat a festive meal before the fast. We have a standing invitation with some of our friends for this meal, because it is my third son's birthday. He was born the morning before Yom Kippur at a birth clinic in Pittsburgh, PA. We arrived home with the baby by mid-afternoon and had a nice meal before the fast. Now, 18 years later, our baby is grown and in 12th grade. We are proud to be able to continue celebrating with him.

The upcoming fast is going to be a bit strange. Our past years experience with Kidney Disease (transplant and laproscomy) have led to the situation where my son Asaf and I are unable to fast. Asaf needs takes anti-rejection drugs and must have a full meal. Since he cannot miss a day, he is going to be eating on Yom Kippur, complete with Wine and Blessings. Very few people get this kind of legal treatment. I cannot become dehydrated, so I'm going to be drinking. I'll try for a water fast. The traditional trick of "eating" less than an olive every twenty minutes is not going to be enough, since I need to have at least 3 liters of water a day. So I'll be sitting with Asaf and drinking while he eats. This should be interesting.

Our meal today is traditional. Low on spices and acids, high on carbs and proteins. Just the thing for a pre-fast meal. One of our guests is a vegetarian, so we'll try and provide enough for the omnivores and the veggie.

Erev Yom Kippur
Lunch - 11
Two Whole Roast split chickens
Grilled London Broil
Pasta (plain)
Zucchini garlic sauce (for the pasta)
(plus some leftovers from Shabbat)
Grasshopper pie ( a birthday favorite)




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