YOM KIPPUR in THE DAYS OF AWE: “Light is sown for the righteous, and for the upright in heart—joy.”
In the Jewish Tradition, Yom Tov, a festive day; for although we stand prepared to be judged in the supernal courtroom for our deeds of the past year, we are confident that God is a merciful judge, and will decree a year of life, health and prosperity for us. Two festive meals are eaten — one at midday and the other before the fast, which begins at sunset. Yom Kippur (“Day of Atonement”), the holiest day of the year, begins this evening before sunset. During which we abstain from food and drink in fulfillment of the biblical command (Leviticus 16:29). Tonight begins an evening of sincere reflection and repentance before God. Though Jesus pardoned our sins on the cross, we must never neglect to admit our faults before him and ask Him always for His forgiveness. It is pride to think one who has received pardon is incapable of sinning again. Rather we must learn to repeatedly offer ourselves on the altar of humility and confess our sins to Him who has been all merciful in His pardoning of them and granting us the grace to live a holy life.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
📖 The “Al Chet” a liturgical confession of sins is said ten times in the course of the Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) services. It reads very similarly to the Examination of Conscience still practiced in the Catholic Tradition today:
“For the sin which we have committed before You under duress or willingly,
And for the sin which we have committed before You by hard-heartedness.
For the sin which we have committed before You inadvertently,
And for the sin which we have committed before You with an utterance of the lips. For the sin which we have committed before You with immorality,
And for the sin which we have committed before You openly or secretly.
For the sin which we have committed before You with knowledge and with deceit,
And for the sin which we have committed before You through speech.
For the sin which we have committed before You by deceiving a fellowman,
And for the sin which we have committed before You by improper thoughts.
For the sin which we have committed before You by a gathering of lewdness,
And for the sin which we have committed before You by verbal [insincere] confession.
For the sin which we have committed before You by disrespect for parents and teachers,
And for the sin which we have committed before You intentionally or unintentionally.
For the sin which we have committed before You by using coercion,
And for the sin which we have committed before You by desecrating the Divine Name.
For the sin which we have committed before You by impurity of speech,
And for the sin which we have committed before You by foolish talk.
For the sin which we have committed before You with the evil inclination,
And for the sin which we have committed before You knowingly or unknowingly.
For all these, God of pardon, pardon us, forgive us, atone for us.
For the sin which we have committed before You by false denial and lying,
And for the sin which we have committed before You by a bribe-taking or a bribe-giving hand.
For the sin which we have committed before You by scoffing,
And for the sin which we have committed before You by evil talk [about another].
For the sin which we have committed before You in business dealings,
And for the sin which we have committed before You by eating and drinking.
For the sin which we have committed before You by [taking or giving] interest and by usury,
And for the sin which we have committed before You by a haughty demeanor.
For the sin which we have committed before You by the prattle of our lips,
And for the sin which we have committed before You by a glance of the eye.
For the sin which we have committed before You with proud looks,
And for the sin which we have committed before You with impudence.
For all these, God of pardon, pardon us, forgive us, atone for us.
For the sin which we have committed before You by casting off the yoke [of Heaven],
And for the sin which we have committed before You in passing judgment.
For the sin which we have committed before You by scheming against a fellowman,
And for the sin which we have committed before You by a begrudging eye.
For the sin which we have committed before You by frivolity,
And for the sin which we have committed before You by obduracy.
For the sin which we have committed before You by running to do evil,
And for the sin which we have committed before You by tale-bearing.
For the sin which we have committed before You by swearing in vain,
And for the sin which we have committed before You by causeless hatred.
For the sin which we have committed before You by embezzlement,
And for the sin which we have committed before You by a confused heart.
For all these, God of pardon, pardon us, forgive us, atone for us.
And for the sins for which we are obligated to bring a burnt offering.
And for the sins for which we are obligated to bring a sin-offering.
And for the sins for which we are obligated to bring a varying offering [according to one’s means].
You are the Pardoner of Israel and the Forgiver of the tribes of Yeshurun in every generation, and aside from You we have no King who forgives and pardons.”
It is a beautiful gift to be able to confess your sins to God. In the moments we choose to turn away from His love we can remember all he has done to free us from shame and his mercy which allows us to turn back to him.
WHENS THE LAST TIME YOU MADE A GOOD CONFESSION TO GOD?
When’s the last time you felt the healing grace from His merciful love and pardon?
Confess your sins before it is too late. For no man can turn to God when his mercy is no more and his power to return is gone out. This is the Gift God has given to man that a great Light has gone into the world and as long as it shines among them they shall walk in darkness no more.
🙏🏼 Blessed be God’s great name to all eternity. Blessed, praised, honored, exalted, extolled, glorified, adored, and lauded be the name of the Holy Blessed One, beyond all earthly words and songs of blessing, praise, and comfort. To which we say: Amen.
G’mar Chatima Tovah 🍯
#DaysofAwe #day9 #YomTov
