Immersion

Removing my contact lenses, I asked God to forgive me for all the times I had been blind to the pain of others.
Cleaning beneath my nails, I asked God to forgive me for all the times I had neglected to raise my hands to bring comfort to others.
Flossing my teeth, I asked God to forgive me for my words that had caused pain to others.
Combing my hair, I asked God to forgive me for not filling my head with enough Torah.
Scrubbing my skin, I asked God to help me shed those aspects of myself that act as a chatzitzah (barrier).

Seven steps between the “me that was” and the “me You help me to become.”

I take a deep breath. And plunge beneath the silken waters. Again. And again.

Stripping away, I hope, the hurts and the pains of the past year. The sorrows. The unrequited aspirations. And dreams that will soon be forgotten.

*Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the Universe, Who makes us holy by embracing us in living waters.
*used with generous permission by Mayyim Hayyim