Repentance

Isaiah depicts two very different metaphors for whitening our red sins – snow and laundered wool. How do these two metaphors illustrate the experience of repentance? 

As Elul dawns on us this week, don’t forget to remember all the tasks left undone, but remember to forget any trivial indignities you might have endured or any petty arguments.

When it comes to human beings, those we offended must be ready to forgive if our desire to be forgiven is genuine.

What New Year’s resolutions can we set for ourselves and for our institutions? How can we inspire our colleagues, students, and children to believe in a more positive future?

Will any of the prayers and poems that we recite on these holidays help us deal with these issues?

Teshuva is primarily an emotional process that has practical implications.

Soon, each of us will begin our heshbon nefesh, our soul-searching.

The imperative to learn from our mistakes and make amends isn’t consistent with intolerance for and refusing to listen to opposing views.

This year, Yom Kippur begins a few minutes before sunset on Tuesday, September 18th and concludes after nightfall on Wednesday, September 19th.

Public figures have been famously reluctant to admit the error of their ways. It’s a practice that goes all the way back to the beginning of human history.