Repentance and forgiveness are the central themes of our High Holy Days. Jewish tradition teaches that repentance requires a real change in our behavior and an apology. Offering and accepting an apology is one of the most profound human interactions. Apology has the power to heal grudges and humiliations and to generate forgiveness for those who have wronged another. Apologies have the power to relieve guilt and shame that can overpower us. The healing result of an apology process is the repair and reconnection of human relationships.
Forgiveness can be equally challenging and rewarding. How many of us forgive others, ourselves and/or God, and yet still keep score? How many of us seek forgiveness from others, ourselves and/or God, and yet still follow our accustomed patterns? If we are still holding on to a wrong done to us, we have not fully granted forgiveness. If we are still doing the same things we were doing before, we have not earned forgiveness.
Forgiveness is our practice for September -- let go of the wrongs, let go of the engrained patterns -- forgive and be forgiven.
Click here for an Exercise for Forgiveness
