Rabbi Howard Morrison

For some twenty-five hours, we are engaged in prayer, spirituality, and reflection. The overriding theme is seeking forgiveness from God for sins committed over the past year, and being given by God the ability to start the new year on a clean slate.

Our tradition teaches us that Yom Kippur atones for sins committed against God. Prior to Yom Kippur, we are supposed to approach people we have wronged intentionally or inadvertently to ask for their forgiveness. If an offended person refuses to forgive, the agressor is supposed to approach that person three times with sincerity. After that, the person seeking forgiveness is no longer liable. How many of us, knowing that we have wronged another, really take asking for forgiveness seriously?

If we are unaware that we wronged another person, then the prayer and ritual of Yom Kippur take effect. We confess our sins not with specific details but with alphabetical acrostics and poetry in order to cover all unconsciously committed sins performed against others.

Forgiveness is not about forgetting. No one asks that we forget wrongs committed against us. Forgiveness is about removing a weight from our shoulders which is weighing us down. Forgiveness is primarily for us and not the other person.

It is never too late to forgive and be forgiven. Ultimately, we all need to forgive others and be forgiven by others.

Gmar Chatima Tova,

Rabbi Howard Morrison