 | The "Al Chet" confession of sins is said ten times in the course of the Yom Kippur services...
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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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Do you think God will ever forgive me of the most horrible sin of all. an abortion
I pray and cry out with Al Chet each day and night, and call out to Him, and I know He says, "I have forgiven you" but I feel as if I cant forgive myself so how and why would He. Pray for me.
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I will pray for you rachel. May G-d grant you His peace.
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Yes, Rachel. He forgave you the first time you prayed for forgiveness. He's a loving G-d and a forgiving G-d. He looks for "turning away" from our sin; He doesn't want nor need us to walk in guilt for the rest of our lives. If He says that He is "faithful to forgive us" and we continue to walk in shame and guilt, it's like we're calling Him a "liar"; telling Him that He isn't who He says He is. Remember King David? He committed murder; had to live with the consequences of his actions, but he was forgiven and went on to be blessed in his life. Allow G-d to forgive you...you're holding Him and yourself hostage. Let Him love you and bless you as you move forward. Use your hard lesson to teach others to guard themselves from falling into the same trap that you fell in. Blessings upon you, Rachel. 'May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace."
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Please advise where I can find the following prayer: " Because the relief of pain is built into its perception, I search within and remember when: I did not use my power; I did not see; I resisted change; I wouldn't risk; I was afraid of excitement; By these namings, I ask for the help that I long for, the curative help, the insight."---Is there more to this prayer? Is it part of the Al Chayt? It is beautiful and would like to know more about it.
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Words cannot describe... thank you all so very much. I have been so touched with your compassion and wisdom and understanding of the pain and guilt I was feeling. When I read the responses, they were not ones of condemnation but of love and forgiveness... If you all in your "human nature" can do this, then how much more will my Father in Heaven love and forgive me. After all the support, thiis New Year I have been forgiven and even "forgiven myself" ... now I pray to remain refreshed in my "newness". I love my God and will try never to hurt Him again. Thank you all for helping to keep me on the right track. I am alive for it today. Thank you Chabad.org,
Love and Blessings,
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I cannot even tell u how much chabad.org has been enhancing my holidays!! Thank u so much!! U are just amazing!! Keep on inspriring people w ith all ur work!!
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Please, could you tell me where I find the Al Chet in the old Testament? What book and what chapiter? I 'll be grateful to you! Sorry for my faults in English. I'm from Brazil . I hope to have made myself understood. Thanks in advance.Eli
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Just to say thanks for such a broad spectrum prayer, covering virtually all possible areas of our daily failings, in our duties to GOD and our fellow being. I find it very soul searching, and edifying too.
Thanks
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The exact text of the Al Chet is not found in the Bible, it was composed by the rabbis of later generations. It can be found in the Yom Kippur prayerbook.
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