Yom Kippur Qatan

 As I'm sitting with my diary this morning and writing in some special dates to remember, I've now made the first entry into my 2026 schedule for prayer. That led me to look at my new calendar, and my eyes fell on "Yom Kippur Katan" - I spell Qatan with a Qof, as it is spelled in the Torah, and not phonetically, with a Kaf.

    I have been aware of Yom Kippur Qatan for a while, but I will henceforth add it to my schedule as a way to draw closer to HaShem. That's the reason I exist - to get closer to Him so I can pass some of Him on to others, as He enables me.

    Here is the link to the first website I came across, and from which I will quote:

https://www.emekberacha.org/yom-kippur-katan.html

    Yom Kippur Katan is a practice that comes up on Erev Rosh Chodesh during many, but not all, months of the year.  It can involve fasting but always includes a longer service for Mincha which echoes the themes of repentance on Yom Kippur.  It is regularly observed by the very pious but there are times when Jewish leaders call for its observance more widely, usually in connection with a trying time in contemporary Jewish life.  During COVID, Artscroll made the full Yom Kippur Katan Mincha service available, and we thank them for sharing it.  For those who want to say the service without a Minyan, remember to skip the recitation of the 13 attributes of mercy.

Here is the link to the full Yom Kippur Qatan Mincha Service:

https://images.shulcloud.com/1450/uploads/5784/YomKippurKattanBooklet.PDF

    I have yet to read through it, but I shall endeavour to do so before our next Rosh Chodesh, which is next week, on Wednesday night. I will have to move my tuchus!

    As the days grow more dark around us, we all need to draw closer to the Light, doing all we can to remove those things that hinder us from running the race to completion, as borne out by the writings in Hebrews 12:1: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

    I am in full agreement with Rabbi Shaul when he says "I am the greatest sinner of all". (I Timothy 1:15). When I reflect on my life, I cry still today about some of the really stupid and wrong things I've done. I am so grateful for all the opportunities HaShem gives me to repent as I gaze inward - each day, we have the Prayers Before Bedtime, each week we have Erev Shabbat, each month we have Rosh Chodesh, each year we have Yom Kippur. Of course, repentance can be done at any and all times, but just in case we get too busy to remember we need to clean ourselves out, HaShem, in His great compassion, has given us set times to do so. It's only for our benefit.

    If our hearts are open to the God Who saved us, He will direct our steps as He leads us closer and deeper into His ways. That is my encouragement to you. Allow Him to lead you.

    As we start a new Torah cycle this week, let us remember the wonder and majestic mystery of the work of Creation. We and our world are the work of His hands and it is marvellous in our eyes!

Shabbat Bereshiyt Shalom!