As one looks at the Yom Kippur liturgy, it is interesting to note that in so many of the prayers, we don’t actually apologize for our own actions.     The Ashamnu prayer says:  “We transgressed.  We have dealt treacherously.  We have robbed.  We have spoken slander…”.  The Al Cheyt prayer says, “For the sin which we have committed against You…”  In the Slach Lanu prayer, we say “Pardon us.  Forgive us. Grant us expiation”.  And in the Avinu Malkeinu prayer, the formulaic lines are “Our Father, our King, we have…”

 

On Yom Kippur we atone for the entire Jewish community’s sins, not just our own.  In many cases, we ask for forgiveness for things we, as individuals, probably never did. 

 

I've written before that being Jewish is more than only being part of a religion.  It is being part of a people.  Yom Kippur highlights that sense of peoplehood as we take responsibility for one another. 

 

Yom Kippur is one day of the year.  Thank you for joining with the Federation to support critical needs of our Jewish people in Pittsburgh, in Israel and in over 60 countries around the world, every day of the year.

 

Shabbat Shalom.  G’mar Chatimah Tova (May you be sealed in the Book of Life).  An easy, but meaningful fast.

 

 

Jeff Finkelstein, President/CEO