A Chicago businessman on his first trip to Israel headed directly to the Kotel, the Western Wall, the remaining outer wall of the Temple Mount. Though it was an ordinary weekday, he was anxious to pray at this holiest of sites.

He arrived, removed his prayer book from his pocket and readied himself for what was sure to be an extra special afternoon prayer. Reflexively, the visitor looked around for a native to inquire "which way is east?"1—when he suddenly realized "this IS east!"

All Jews face the Temple Mount when praying, and now I am here!

Don't worry if you fall behind in the prayers, there's no rush...Every day is unique, an opportunity to reveal G‑d's infinity that will never return. Yom Kippur is still more unique. The Torah calls it "achat bashanah" a singular and matchless day, a once-annual special chance.

A Yom Kippur machzor (prayerbook) is a one-day tool; unlike the standard siddur or Rosh Hashanah machzor, there is no second day use for this prayer book. So as Yom Kippur progresses, pause before turning each page, and ask yourself: "Am I finished with this page, am I ready to pack it away until next year? Have I exhausted it for all its richness and depth?"

Don't worry if you fall behind in the prayers, there's no rush (where is there to go?). Let the chazzan (cantor) sing and let yourself become lost in the words, the nuance, of Yom Kippur. The rest of the year you can be a conformist, always on the right page; today savor your personal relationship with G‑d. The day is special; you can make it extra special.

Yom Kippur is the holiest day, just as the Western Wall is the holiest site. You are there. There's no holier point to turn to or to wait for. Exhaust it for all its bounty!