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The Text of Al Chet


(The "Al Chet" confession of sins is said ten times in the course of the Yom Kippur services: Following the Amidah of the afternoon prayers of the day before Yom Kippur; just before sunset on Yom Kippur Eve; and twice during each of the following services--the evening service of yom Kippur eve, and the morning service, the Musaf service and the afternoon service of Yom Kippur day--once at the end of the Silent Amidah, and once during the cantor's repitition of the Amidah.)

For the sin which we have committed before You under duress or willingly.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by hard-heartedness.

For the sin which we have committed before You inadvertently.

And for the sin which we have committed before You with an utterance of the lips.

For the sin which we have committed before You with immorality.

And for the sin which we have committed before You openly or secretly.

For the sin which we have committed before You with knowledge and with deceit.

And for the sin which we have committed before You through speech.

For the sin which we have committed before You by deceiving a fellowman.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by improper thoughts.

For the sin which we have committed before You by a gathering of lewdness.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by verbal [insincere] confession.

For the sin which we have committed before You by disrespect for parents and teachers.

And for the sin which we have committed before You intentionally or unintentionally.

For the sin which we have committed before You by using coercion.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by  desecrating the Divine Name.

For the sin which we have committed before You by impurity of  speech.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by foolish  talk.

For the sin which we have committed before You with the evil  inclination.

And for the sin which we have committed before You knowingly or unknowingly.

For all these, God of pardon, pardon us, forgive us, atone for us. 

For the sin which we have committed before You by false denial and lying.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by a bribe-taking or a bribe-giving hand.

For the sin which we have committed before You by scoffing.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by evil talk  [about another].

For the sin which we have committed before You in business  dealings. 

And for the sin which we have committed before You by eating  and drinking.

For the sin which we have committed before You by [taking or  giving] interest and by usury.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by a haughty demeanor. 

For the sin which we have committed before You by the prattle of our lips. 

And for the sin which we have committed before You by a glance of the eye.

For the sin which we have committed before You with proud looks.

And for the sin which we have committed before You with impudence.

 For all these, God of pardon, pardon us, forgive us, atone for us. 

For the sin which we have committed before You by casting off the yoke [of Heaven].

And for the sin which we have committed before You in passing judgment.

For the sin which we have committed before You by scheming against a fellowman. 

And for the sin which we have committed before You by a begrudging eye. 

For the sin which we have committed before You by frivolity.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by obduracy.

For the sin which we have committed before You by running to do evil.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by tale-bearing.

For the sin which we have committed before You by swearing in vain. 

And for the sin which we have committed before You by causeless hatred.

For the sin which we have committed before You by embezzlement.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by a confused heart.

 For all these, God of pardon, pardon us, forgive us, atone for us. 

And for the sins for which we are obligated to bring a burnt-offering. 

And for the sins for which we are obligated to bring a sin-offering.

And for the sins for which we are obligated to bring a varying offering [according to one's means].

And for the sins for which we are obligated to bring a guilt-offering for a certain or doubtful trespass. 

And for the sins for which we incur the penalty of lashing for rebelliousness. 

And for the sins for which we incur the penalty of forty lashes.

And for the sins for which we incur the penalty of death by the hand of Heaven. 

And for the sins for which we incur the penalty of excision and childlessness. 

And for the sins for which we incur the penalty of the four forms of capital punishment executed by the Court: stoning, burning, decapitation and strangulation. 

For [transgressing] positive and prohibitory mitzvot, whether [the prohibitions] can be rectified by a specifically prescribed act or not, those of which we are aware and those of which we are not aware; those of which we are aware, we have already declared them before You and confessed them to You, and those of which we are not aware --- before You they are revealed and known, as it is stated:The hidden things belong to the Lord our God, but the revealed things are for us and for our children forever, that we may carry out all the words of this Torah. ForYou are the Pardoner of Israel and the Forgiver of the tribes of Yeshurun in every generation, and aside from You we have no King who forgives and pardons.

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Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: Oct 9, 2011
Re: Anonymous from Sao Paulo
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.
Posted By Anonymous, NYC

Posted: Oct 8, 2011
JUST TO SAY THANK YOU
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
Posted By Toluhi Michael, Lagos, Nigeria

Posted: Oct 7, 2011
A Pray of yom Kippur
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
Posted By Anonymous, Atibaia, São Paulo

Posted: Oct 7, 2011
thank u
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!!
Posted By reva, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

Posted: Oct 14, 2010
sin
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,
Posted By rachel, miami, florida

Posted: Sep 21, 2010
Prayer Book?
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.
Posted By Anonymous, Las Cruses, NM

Posted: Sep 16, 2010
RE: Sin
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."
Posted By Anonymous, San Antonio, Tx

Posted: Sep 16, 2010
response to 'sin'
I will pray for you rachel. May G-d grant you His peace.
Posted By Anonymous, quebec
via jquebec.com

Posted: Sep 6, 2010
sin
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.
Posted By Rachel, plantation, usa

Posted: Sep 29, 2009
Childlessness
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.
Posted By Anonymous, Worcester, MA



 


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