Before the High Holy Days, it is traditional to spend the month of Elul in special preparatory studies. This is the time, before Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, when we study the laws about making amends and about giving and receiving forgiveness. Maimonides tells us that the sacrifices of Yom Kippur were only ever intended to cover us for the sins that we committed against G-d. In matters between human beings, we must approach the people we have harmed directly.
These days, it's common for people to send out apology emails and social media posts asking for forgiveness during the ten Days of Awe, but is that really useful? Our tradition says that it's not enough to just say a blanket, "Sorry for anything I've done to offend you in the past year." We must spend time considering the ways that we have missed the mark or overstepped boundaries and do what we can to make amends before asking for forgiveness.
But what if someone doesn't want to forgive us? And what if we don't want to forgive the people who have hurt us? Is there guidance? There is.
This September, join me each Sunday (except Labor Day weekend) on a Google Hangout to discuss Maimonides Laws of Repentance. We will look at the text together, spend time in breakout rooms discussing the words with a study partner, and then come back together to share insights.
Sundays September 8 - 29, 2024 (5 - 26 Elul 5784)
Teens: 10am - 10:45am
Adults: 5pm-6pm