A Day For Forgiveness

Yom Kippur is a day of atonement and forgiveness. It is the last day of the Days of Awe, and it's time to take stock in our lives. On this Day of Atonement, we are supposed to live with a spirit of repentance and be thankful for forgiveness. As Jewish followers of the Messiah, our atonement was secured as Jesus was crucified on that cursed tree. There is nothing more we can do to earn ourselves forgiveness or atonement, it has already been provided for us. What is left is for us to receive it.

To get an overview of the holiest of the High Holy Days, you can listen to The Jewish Road Podcast, episode 7.

The two prayers said in synagogues across the world, Ashamnu and Al Chet, constitute Jewish confession that includes both asking for forgiveness as well as seeking it from God. May these prayers bring you to a deeper understanding of your need for a God who grants covering through His mercy.

Al Chet

Al chet Shechamanu L’fanecha
For the sin which we have committed before You.

For the sin which we have committed before You of our own will, 

And for the sin which we have committed before You by hardening our hearts,

For the sin which we have committed before You unknowingly,
And for the sin we have committed before you openly or secretly.

For the sin which we have committed before you knowingly and deceitfully,
And for the sin which we have committed before You in speech, 

For the sin which we committed before You by wronging a neighbor,
And for the sin which we have committed before you by sinful meditation of the heart,

For the sin which we have committed before You by association with impurity,       

And for the sin which we have committed before You by spurning parents and teachers,

For the sin which we have committed before You in presumption or in error,
And for the sin which we have committed before You by violence,

For the sin which we have committed before You by the profanation of Your name,
And for the sin which we have committed before You by unclean lips,

For the sin which we have committed before You by impure speech,
And for the sin which we have committed before You by evil inclination,

For the sin which we have committed before You wittingly or unwittingly,
For all these O God of forgiveness, forgive us, pardon us, and grant us atonement

For the sin which we committed before You by denying and lying,
And for the sin which we committed before You by bribery,

For the sin which we committed before You by scoffing,
And for the sin which we committed before You by slander,

For the sin which we committed before You in commerce,
And for the sin which we have committed before You In eating and drinking.

For the sin which we have committed before You by asking usurious interest,
And for the sin which we have committed before You by stretching forth the neck in pride.

For the sin which we have committed before You by gossip,
And for the sin which we have committed before You with wanton looks,

For the sin which we have committed before You with haughty eyes,
And for the sin which we have committed before You by effrontery,

For all these, O God of forgiveness, forgive us, pardon us, and grant us atonement.

For the sin in which we have committed before You by rejecting Your commandments,
And for the sin which we have committed before You by perverting justice,

For the sin which we have committed before You by ensnaring our neighbor,
And for the sin which we have committed before You by levity,

For the sin which we have committed before You by being stiff-necked,
And for the sin which we have committed before You by running to do evil,

For the sin which we have Committed before You by tale bearing,
And for the sin which we have committed before you by swearing falsely,

For the sin which we have committed before You by causeless hatred;
And for the sin which we have committed before You by breach of trust,
And for the sin which we have committed before You by confusion of values,
For all these, O god of forgiveness, forgive us, pardon us, and grant us atonement.

Ashamnu

Ashamnu: We have trespassed
Bagadnu: We have dealt treacherously 

Gazadna: We have robbed
Dibarnu Dofee: We have spoken slander
Heeveenu:  We have acted perversely

V’heershana:  We have done wrong
Z’adna:  We have acted presumptuously
Chamasnu:  We have done violence
Tafalnu Sheker:  We have practiced deceit
Ya’atzna rah:  We have counseled evil

Kizavnu:  We have spoken falsehood 
Latznu:  We have scoffed
Maradna:  We have revolted
Niatznu:  We have blasphemed
Sararnu:  We have rebelled

Aveenu:  We have committed iniquity
P’ashanu:  We have transgressed
Tzararnu:  We have oppressed
Kisheenu: We have been stiff-necked

Rashanu: We have acted wickedly
Shichatnu: We have dealt corruptly
Tiavnu: We have committed abomination
Taeenu: We have gone astray
Titanu: We have led others astray