"However, all we have said refers to the culmination of the atonement — to polishing the soul clean before G‑d, so that no vestige of former sin remains, after repentance..."
[The Tanya, Chabad.org]
Cleansing the soul as we cleanse our liver and kidneys, not digesting foods on a Fast Day of Tzom Tammuz, resting the digestive organs, steering clean and pure of all foods and drinks, getting hungrier as the day goes by, fasting to mourn the destruction of the holy Temples, the beginning of a 3 week mourning period, Tammuz 17, the destruction of the 1st Holy Temple and then Av 9 as Tisha B' Av, the destruction of the 2nd Holy Temple, but with the joy of a new moon of Rosh Chodesh in between.
The scarcity of lamb as foods, sheep not being herded, no sheep no sheep herders, no sacrifices of sheep, deep hot days, heat so hot that sheep skin is not necessary to keep us warm, a fun dip in a pool on a day of hot sun instead of wearing a sheepskin jacket, sacrifices instead becoming acts of loving-kindness and peace towards one's fellow wo/man.
Donating blood as an act of kindness, enough human blood to go around so to heal the sick, other acts of loving-kindness as donating foods from your backyard gardens to food pantries to feed the hungry, to feed the hungry with foods of sustenance of greens of leafy lettuce growing plentifully in bunches in your backyard, picked with a gentle loving hand, a hand of "A Woman of Valor," a hand of loving-kindness, sacrificing a head of lettuce and feeding it to the poor.
Acts of loving-kindness as a way of life, a way of life to replace the sacrificing of lambs, no more lambs no more temptations, no need to sacrifice them, instead not breeding them, aborting the births of lambs before they are conceived.
Finding a way to repent for our transgressions in acts of charity and acts that bring happiness to people who need it. Giving of ourselves, instead of our livestock, helping to cleanse our own souls as we are there for others who need us.
G-d's progression of historical events His way of making us as Jews "The Chosen People."
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