in appreciation of... another peaceful Yom Kippur, despite the news the past few weeks, months and even years, that seems to always make it feel as if war is imminent. With all the news leading up to Yom Kippur having memorials and memories of the Yom Kippur War, a peaceful Yom Kippur is something to be appreciative about.. The only "war" this Yom Kippur was between man and God, with man fighting for forgiveness.

In appreciation of.. getting my pre-Yom Kippur kappara yesterday while playing sports.

A minor injury turned out to be even more minor than originally thought, though it was unusual. Hopefully it provided me with the kappara I need for Yom Kippur...

Then again, if it would only really be that easy...

in appreciation of.. so much of Judaism is available now in ways that it has not been for hundreds and even thousands of years. Even if things are not perfect, we have a flourishing land, we can go to Har Habayit, we can go to holy sites around the country with ease, we can live as Jews concerned about our Judaism.. Even if I do not go up to Har Habayit as much as I would like, or as often as I used to, today a group from Bet Shemesh did go up to Har Habayit, and I can join them any month I please to, or I can go on my own any day I prefer.

In appreciation for.. being healthy and physically able, so that I could volunteer a bit of time outside each of the past couple of days doing physical work on behalf of the community.. physical labor outdoors in the sun is invigorating, and being able to do that, even if just occasionally, is great!

Had I been single, I probably would have broken yesterday's fast on a nice, juicy, and leaking, shawarma. Maybe falafel, but probably shawarma.

So, today I appreciate my great wife, and marriage, for having prepared great and fairly food for breaking the fast last night. I love to eat shawarma (and plenty of other foods), but having a nutritious meal always makes me feel better in the long run..

This new feature has been inspired by the Shabbos Suva drosha I heard. I am not sure why, because the concept was not suggested by the rav, but something that was said inspired the idea.

I will try, ever week day, as often as I can remember, to say something I appreciate - it might be personal, it might be communal or national, or even global...

I appreciate the fast day of Tzom Gedalia immediately after Rosh Hashana, and especially after a "three-day yomtov" that includes Rosh Hashana and Shabbos. Even though three days of excessive eating at large meals means I am hungry today, I appreciate the fact that I am forced to stop and not fall into the pattern of continuing to overeat. This will make the transition back to normal eating much easier. I don't know how much weight will be lost today from not eating, but it will help me get back to normal eating habits..