This afternoon, with the setting of the sun, Yom Kippur, the greatest Jewish holiday, will begin. The Great Rabbi of the Sephardic Community of Buenos Aires explains that it is about reconciling each human being with God. However, it is wise to start by doing it with your partner, because He is in that love.

By Isaac Sacca

Posted: Sep 24, 2023 00:42 a.m.

According to the Talmud “if you want to find God, you will find Him in the midst of a couple in love”. (Infobae illustrative image)

For the Jewish religion, God represents the source of good and morality. When we say that God is close to us, it means, in other words, that we are noble people.

In fact, many people who are good and ethical without being clear about the idea of God are also close to God according to Judaism.

The Day of Atonement is a day of reconciliation between each human being with God, that is, with goodness and morality.

There is a close neighbor with whom we should especially reconcile: our partner.

This reconciliation is generated when we adopt an attitude of humility and apologize to our neighbors and to God for our mistakes.

The Talmud – the book that collects rabbinic discussions – says, “If you want to find God, you will find Him in the midst of a couple in love.”

In this context, there is a close neighbor to whom we should especially reconcile: our partner.

A couple in love is a couple that respects each other first, dedicate to each other and feels gratification when being in each other’s company or remembering each other.

Although in principle we should be careful to interact correctly to avoid needing to ask for forgiveness, no matter how much in love we are, asking for forgiveness is inevitable, because we are human and we make mistakes. In case of inappropriate reactions, asking for forgiveness serves to rebuild the relationship.

The request for forgiveness must be sincere and real, and especially it must be verbalized. The sincere and honest word, the word spoken with love, heals the soul and generates a positive bond with whom we reconcile.

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Camargo Temple, where Rabbi Isaac Sacca officiates. (Courtesy of the author)

We, humans, make mistakes and we learn. Mistakes are part of that process. That is what forgiveness is for. However, we should not make mistakes with the justification that we can later ask for forgiveness. There comes a time when it becomes implausible and false.

When we make a mistake and generate discord and rupture, we can remedy the bond with a sweet and pleasant apology, with sincere words.

The Day of Atonement is a day to reconnect with the source of goodness and morality, so that it influences our way of acting ethically in a harmonious manner.

For this to happen, God tells us: first reconcile with your neighbor, but mainly with your partner, only then will you truly demonstrate that you are noble.

God’s residence is not in heaven, it is in the house of lovers.