Photo Credit: Jewish Press

 

The first thing that pops into my head is tzom kal,” because no one in America calls it a “tzom” – they call it a “fast day.” Only in Israel have I heard it referred to it as a “tzom,” and then usually with the appendage “kal,” resulting in the greeting “tzom kal” – may you have an easy fast.

Advertisement




There’s been a trend of late to wish others an “easy and meaningful fast,” and, as lovely and pious as that seems, it always kind of rubbed me the wrong way. I wasn’t sure why, until I read something somewhere about Rabbi Yisrael Salanter. He famously posited that “Yenem’s gashmius is deine ruchniyus,” someone else’s material needs are your spiritual needs. What this means is that most people worry about filling their own material needs, and making sure others are up to par spiritually. No. You worry about your own spirituality, but make sure others’ physical needs are met (which is your spiritual concern).

So, just wish others an easy fast, and leave the “meaningfulness,” the spirituality, to them! (Do worry about your own meaningfulness!)


Share this article on WhatsApp:
Advertisement

SHARE
Previous articleWord Prompt – TZOM
Next articleWord Prompt – TZOM – Jordana Baruchov
Ruchi Koval is a parenting coach, author and speaker. She is the co-founder and Associate Director of the Jewish Family Experience, a kiruv community in Cleveland, Ohio.