We Can Help You Out!
The 10 days in between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are known as Asseret Yemei TShuva – the 10 days of repentance. These are observed in a number of ways but generally it is considered a good time to practice repentance. One can repent from one’s sins at any time, but it’s a particularly good time to do so because, as Maimonides noted quite well “‘Seek HaShem when He is to be found’ (Isaiah 55:6).” Now there are two types of sins, those against God, and those against your fellow man. Sins against God are forgiven when one repents, ie if you regularly use God’s name in vain for instance, once you expressly stop doing so, you’re forgiven for past transgressions. Sins against your fellow man however are a bit more complicated. Let’s say you talked trash about someone – you have to approach them directly, specify the sin and ask for forgiveness. As you can imagine, that can be a bit difficult.
Often times people, particularly at this time of the year, will come up to you and ask for your forgiveness for “any sin that I may have committed against you.” That’s a bit of a cop out if you ask me. How can there be repentance without acknowledgement of the sin? Both to yourself and to the person against whom the offence was committed? You have to confess in detail in order to properly receive forgiveness, otherwise where’s the repentance? And if you’ve caused any pecuniary damage to the person, they are entitled to compensation. It’s not as easy as “Oh, please forgive me for everything I may have advertently or inadvertently done to you.
But that process is difficult. Sometimes, you may have forgotten every sin you have ever committed against someone. For instance, think of all the times you gossiped about people you know for instance. And then when it comes to the big things, like deceit, theft or worse, just confessing to that alone is difficult enough. So we’re here to help you!
Please feel free to use the comment section below to anonymously confess whatever sin you’d like to. It won’t result in forgiveness but think of it as a practice run. After actually admitting to yourself that you have sinned, you might find it easier to confront the actual victim. You may confess anonymously – just put a fake name and email address in the comment form. It’ll be fun and therapeutic too! Go on. Give it a shot. I won’t judge you….
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i have so many things to repent of. I have said so many bad things to family, friends, and others without cause. I have lost everything for it and while most would think my punishment is done with; I feel that I need to ask for forgiveness for my sins.
Even through I have lost my wife, many family members, and friends. I still feel condemned for it.
I have lost the opportunity to go to college but I still feel ashamed for my actions inside.
I feel lost, hurt and alone and somehow I know it’s my fault when I’m the only one that thinks that.
What to do?
Are you trying to be a confessor ck? That’s a Catholic thing isn’t it?
Hells No Audrey. I’m just offering folks a dry run where they can practice confession. They still have to actually confess to the person in question, repent and when appropriate, offer restitution. And that’s if the person forgives them! If not they have to repeat the process three times! In front of witnesses!
Anyhow, the good news is that you can confess and repent any time. Not just before or during Yom Kippur.
I spend most of my time at work trolling for babes on facebook and JDate. I don’t have to apologize to my bosses because they don’t seem to care. I should mention that I am employed by a major Jewish Federation and my job involves, without getting too specific, outreach to the unaffiliated. I basically hook up my bros and go to expensive lunches and dinners with the olds. I suppose this confession is dedicated to the Jews, but I’m holding off on tshuva till next year when I can leave this place for a bitchin’ job at a friend’s totally hooked up startup. Then I promise I will never waste Jewish community funds again.
I cheated on my fiance with a guy at work. We’re supposed to get married in 6 months. The guy was creepy, what kind of person hits on an engaged woman? But he was relentless and he caught me in a moment of weakness. The truth is I’m not such a wonderful person either. Wish I could turn the clock around. This isn’t making things easier but it’s good to get it off my chest. I haven’t told anyone. I am so sorry.
There’s this guy who is a total douche. Lets call him “Richard.” I’ve been talking smack about him every day and every chance I get. But he really is such an assole. I won’t be asking him for forgiveness or anything.
Probably the worst thing I’ve done this year is loshon harah. I’m not even talking about stuff that’s just technically loshon harah, I mean all out malicious and semi-malicious gossip and trash talking. Just this past shabbos I made a mean comment about Sarah’s outfit. I made a snide remark about how much David drank even though he didn’t really contribute anything to the meal. I’m sure there was more. I think I am going to hell. But we’re Jewish and there isn’t really Jewish hell, right?
I’ve done a lot of bad things. Like in grade 5 I stole Benny’s black dreidel. I don’t really know why, I guess it just looked cool. Now I have no idea where Benny is, so if you’re reading this, I’m sorry.
I’ve helped myself to co-workers food and snacks from the communal refrigerator. I don’t even know who to ask for forgiveness. Maybe I should bring in a bunch of donuts or something.
You’re an asshole Sinner.
I’m kidding. I’m not Svend, at least I don’t think so. And I’ve been an asshole too. Probably the worst thing I did was cheat on my girlfriend, It was just once while I was on the road, I was drunk, the sex was safe. And of course I lied about it too. I don’t know how I am going to fess up to her. I don’t want us to break up.
There are Jewish guys with the first name “Svend?”
Great. I get to be first.
My confession is to my friend who I’ll call Svend. Svend, I kind of trash talked you to someone and I am pretty sure it cost you a job. I was asked for my honest opinion and I may have been more negative than I had to be. I’m really sorry. Svend.