On Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon spends time in his beloved study surrounded by his burgundy books before his pregnant daughter joins him. They share a moment reading and interpreting a text before he leaves. Despite the sacredness of the holiday, the author feels elated and calm, and reflects on the intersection of personal instinct and religious law.
The Agony of the Yarmulka
In this personal essay, Julian Ungar-Sargon discusses his discomfort with wearing a yarmulke in public as an observant Jew in a secular world. He explores the history and significance of the tradition, and reflects on the tension between standing out as a Jew and the desire for anonymity. He also considers the cultural context of living among millions of Jews in New York and Israel, and the meaning of ritual in that context.