Turn from Evil and Do Good: Lessons for Yom Kippur One Year Later
Yom Kippur one year ago, we were different people standing in prayer and repentance.
In the book of psalms it is written “Turn from Evil and Do Good." On Yom Kippur we spend the day confessing our sins as individuals, communities and as a nation. It is important to remember that while there is a value to acknowledging a one's misdeeds, the awesomeness of Yom Kippur is that we have a chance to start fresh, a clean slate waiting to be filled with a year full of good actions, aligned with God's vision and our individual and collective destiny.
While Rosh HaShanah is about acknowledging God as the Creator of the world, on Yom Kippur, we are given the opportunity to review our previous year, see where we might have missed the mark, and commit to realign with the vision that God has for the world and our place in it as Jews. To be spreaders of peace, beacons of innovations and chessed, kindness - to stand up for morality, and ethical behavior, and to stand up for the rights of our people to a future of peace. This year more than ever, we seek clarity of purpose, amid a wealth of pride in how we have handled the challenges of the past months and how we will move forward.
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ISRAEL, TOO, DESERVES OUR FORGIVENESS By now, we have begun to reach out and ask mehila, forgiveness from those we may have harmed, either intentionally or unintentionally. We seek out ways to mend what is broken and build bridges when possible. But I wonder: Can we follow this same prescription when it comes to our relationship with Israel? |
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This Forgiveness Shabbat Talk is a discussion activity designed to increase familiarity with the wisdom of Jewish traditions surrounding forgiveness. This is relevant as part of your Yom Kippur preparations or any time of the year and can be adapted for people of all ages. |
Many associate Yom Kippur as a solemn day, however it is important to recognize that Yom Kippur is one of the happiest and joyous days of the calendar, because there is no greater gift than a new beginning.
As we immerse ourselves in reflection and personal assessment during these Days of Awe, let us make an effort to find our own path to prayer. Let's bring the power of our collective voice, wherever we are, whatever our level of observance or fluency, because every word—no matter how simple—has the power to rise high when it comes from a place of pure intention.
Prayer is not about perfection. It’s about sincerity. It’s about showing up, even if we’re unsure of the words, and making the effort to connect to God, to recognize that He is the Creator of the world, we are His children, and that we can depend on Him, even when all looks uncertain. Whether you know one phrase or can say an entire tefillah, it’s the intention that counts.
During these powerful chagim, some will be spending hours in synagogue, some will delve into the Jewish prayers that have been passed down from generation to generation, and some will rediscover those words, to take even small steps toward reconnecting with our faith and our strength as a people. But we all will have October 7 on our mind day after day, and we will all be trying to find the return in ourselves to a hope that will carry us forward.
ONE YEAR LATER: THE EVERLASTING ECHOES OF OCTOBER 7
In these difficult times, the need for prayer and connection feels more vital than ever. The words in our siddur hold within them the power to lift us, to give us strength and courage as we navigate our lives. Prayer is our bridge to something higher—a way to connect to our ancestors, our heritage, and God. Yet, for many of us, the Hebrew prayers can feel distant or difficult to understand. But the beauty of prayer is that it doesn’t need to be perfect or eloquent—it just needs to come from the heart.
WATCH AND FIND YOUR PRAYER INSPIRATION
There is an old Jewish tale of a simple man who didn’t know how to recite the traditional prayers. Sitting in the back of the synagogue, all he could do was recite the Aleph Beis—the very letters of the Hebrew alphabet—over and over. He believed with all his heart that God would take those letters and form them into the correct prayers. And indeed, his pure intention and sincerity made his prayer the most exalted in the heavens, rising higher than the fluent, well-spoken prayers of those around him.
If you don’t know Hebrew well, don’t let that stop you from engaging. You can still try your best to connect. Start small—maybe with a single word or phrase that resonates with you. Even just saying "Modeh Ani" in the morning can set the tone for your day.
LEARN AND RECITE PRAYERS FOR ISRAEL DURING THIS TIME OF NEED
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LISTEN TO SONGS THAT SPEAK OUR PRAYERS
MAY ALL OUR PRAYERS BE ANSWERED.
We continue to help the processing and transition into the next phase of this historical time of Jewish experience, and I will do all I can with every ounce of energy to pour truth and authenticity into living as Jews today.
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We have some great opportunities coming up for VCI to use your voice as a representative of Israel Forever. Contact us to learn more about how you can earn a seat at the table of leadership engagement.
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