During Rosh Hashanah and the days leading up to Yom Kippur it is often a time of t’shuvah (repentance), t’filah (prayer), and tzedakah (charity) to receive God’s forgiveness for the sins and wrongdoings of the past year.
And it all culminates on Yom Kippur which is the day the books are sealed. It is the day you hope your name is inscribed in the Book of Life. One of the traditional greetings for Yom Kippur is, “G'mar chatimah tovah,” which translates to, "May you be sealed for a good year ahead.”
It is not only a time to seek forgiveness from God, but also from our friends, family, neighbors, and anyone else who we have wronged. It is a time to forgive those who have wronged us, no matter how hard it is, for carrying that burden does not impact the other person, but only poisons our own souls and holds us back.
“If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.” -Psalm 130:3-4
“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.” - Mark 11:25
“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” -Luke 6:37
Written by Erin Parfet
