San Diego's progressive, down-to-earth
Reconstructionist community, welcoming all,
including LGBTQ+ and interfaith families
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Al Het...For the wrongs that we committed...
Martin Buber tells the story of the great Hasidic Rabbi Zusya (Rabbi Zusya of Hanipol). On his deathbed he began to cry uncontrollably, and his students and disciples tried hard to comfort him. They asked him, “Rabbi, why do you weep? You are almost as wise as Moses, you are almost as hospitable as Abraham, and surely heaven will judge you favourably.”
Zusya answered them: “It is true. When I get to heaven, I won’t worry so much if God asks me, ‘Zusya, why were you not more like Abraham?’ or ‘Zusya, why were you not more like Moses?’ I know I would be able to answer these questions. After all, I was not given the righteousness of Abraham or the faith of Moses, but I tried to be both hospitable and thoughtful. But what will I say when God asks me, ‘Zusya, why were you not more like Zusya?"
Between now and Kol Nidre, gently consider the ways in which you have sometimes chosen to do the wrong thing…then complete the form below.
We will create a Community Al Het to be read at Yom Kippur services. As we each seek forgiveness for these acts, let us remember the words of the Mishna:
עֲבֵרוֹת שֶׁבֵּין אָדָם לַחֲבֵרוֹ, אֵין יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים מְכַפֵּר, עַד שֶׁיְּרַצֶּה אֶת חֲבֵרוֹ
"For wrongs between people and God, Yom Kippur is a day of repair.
However, for wrongs between people, Yom Kippur is not a day of repair until they seek each other out to make
teshuvah
." (Mishnah,
Yoma
8:9)
Please do not mention specific names, just what you feel bad about, both personally and as a member of the Jewish people (or someone who identifies with the Jewish people, even if you're not Jewish).
Your submission is anonymous.
For the wrongs against myself:
*
For the wrongs against other individuals:
*
For the wrongs against my local community:
*
For the wrongs against the greater human community:
*
Submit