 | The "Al Chet" confession of sins is said ten times in the course of the Yom Kippur services...
11 Comments Posted
Thank you.
I am learning about Judaic observances
and find the prayers for the various holidays very moving. In lieu of a nearby temple or synagogue, your site is a blessing!
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Dr, Rafael Medoff:
In a taped lecture at YU's Wurzweiler School of Social Work on December 24, 1973, Rabbi Soloveitchik remarked that "during the Holocaust period," many American Jews were not sufficiently concerned "with our brethren, with our fellow Jews, and we let millions of Jews go down the drain." Therefore, he said, "to the list of Al Chets of the chatayim [sins] we enumerate on Yom Kippur, we should add another Al Chet. Perhaps it would be the worst, the most horrible one - Al chet shechatanu lefanecha bera'inu tzoras nafshoseihem shel acheinu bais Yisroel shehischananu eileinu v'lo shamanu ['For the sin that we have sinned before You by seeing the suffering of our Jewish brethren who called to us and we did not listen']."
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Every time I read the "Al Chet" I am reminded that my childless condition could be a punishment for sin. I become paranoid: do the other people in shul look at me as a sinner (whereas they, having children, were found worthy to procreate?) Of course I know that no one's thinking about me at such times except me. Still, I walk through my life with a burden of guilt and shame that is very hard to shake. I wish I knew more about how childless woman have made sense of their lives--not what wonderful mitzvah they did that finally got them with child (just about the only context in which the religious community discusses childlessness)--but how they learned to live and love as childless women.
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Dear Anon.
Not being fully aware of your situation I cannot necesarily respond to your particular question. However as a fellow Jew on the other side of the world I feel obliged to respond as I see no-one else has.
My understanding is you are reading the statement "And for the sins for which we incur the penalty of excision and childlessness." It is a difficult one, but I believe that this statement seems to be saying is that this is a possible means of punishment. This does not necessarily mean that anyone who is childless is a sinner, or less loved by our compassionate and loving G-d.
I also believe that your question is at an opportune time, the High Holidays are an auspicious time to request of G-d for children. We read over these days about the childlessness of Sarah and Chana.
I would like to wish you a year of happiness, joy and peace, and may G-d grant you your most precious wish - to mother a child of your own, Shana Tova.
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Dear "Anon"
I cannot comment on G-d's will for you; I don't know why you find yourself in the position that you do. However, on reading your post, I was instantly reminded of Sarah who was childless until LATE in her life. Of course we recall she merited to bear the patriarch Isaac. G_d was faithful to her and her husband Avraham; I can only deduce that the same G_d will keep his faith with you as a daughter of Israel. May it be soon! Indeed, may you have the joy of little footsteps in your house soon! So may it be His will!
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As you live in the pain of childlessness, remember that our lives and meaning come from our relationship with our compassionate and loving G-d. Women have been created in a way that makes us want to participate in sharing this love and compassion most especially with our own children. Consider living out this desire by sharing compassion and love with children who are not receiving this from their mothers for whatever reason. May you make sense of your life as you petition G-d and seek to live and love as a childless woman and may G-d be pleased with your petitions.
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This is a first for me, that is, being exposed to this prayer, and most importantly, observance of what Yom Kippor is really all about. Sin is sin, no matter if we say it, or do it, we can sin just by thinking of a circumstance not pleasing to mankind or God, for He sees all!!.
This particular prayer covers all circumstances, and brings to our minds, that we must atone for our sins.
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But I think these atonements can be offered to God by any person of any faith.
I plan on using it when I feel I need some extra help from above.
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Several of you gave supportive comments on my post about the particular pain i feel over my childless condition, and I thank you. However, most of you assume that I am still of childbearing age. I'm a white-haired senior citizen, and even if G-d were to grant me the kind of miracle He granted for our mother Sarah, I don't believe I would have the energy and stamina needed to care for an active little one. The comment from "a woman" in Jennings LA made the most sense under these circumstances, and indeed, it is what I have been trying to do over the past few decades. I have yet to meet, in my small Jewish community, a young child not already surrounded by loving adults. I have not yet overcome my pain and embarrassment enough to be able to show affection freely toward the children of close friends (who would welcome me, I'm sure). Please G-d, some day I'll break through these feelings. A g'mar tov to all of you, and thanks for your thoughtfulness.
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