Atonement
The Atonement Prayers We Should All Say, In The #MeToo Era
For the sin we committed by inappropriate sexual advances…For the sin we committed through inappropriate use of power…
6 Ways To Get Right With God This Yom Kippur
With Yom Kippur approaching, some might be thinking about how to get right with God. And over time a vast compendium of traditions have built up around the holy day in pursuit of just that. As we gear up for the big fast next Wednesday, here’s a selection of five of those customs.
We Need to Talk About Kapparot
In the days before we observe Yom Kippur, we’ll hear about or participate in the long-standing Jewish folk tradition that attracts explosive debate.
Why Do We Feel Dread On Yom Kippur?
Elissa Strauss and Scott Perlo discuss that great day of judgment, Yom Kippur, in their latest exploration of what it means to kind of, sort of, believe in God.
The Difference Between Fasting and Anorexia
As a recovered anorexic, Kelsey Osgood is more familiar than most of us with fasting and hunger. Surprisingly, that makes it even more difficult to abstain from food as a symbol of atonement.
All That Divides Us as We Atone
As we prepare to stand on Yom Kippur and atone collectively for the sins of the Jewish people, J.J. Goldberg asks if we all see ourselves in the same way.
We Don't Do Forgiveness Well
The High Holidays don’t work for me. I know that Yom Kippur is supposed to be the holiest day of the year, and I’ve read and listened to many great ideas about how Yom Kippur is supposed to work on supreme spiritual issues and in sanctifying relationships and community. And I’ve been trying it out for a few decades now. But it just doesn’t work, and I think I finally figured out why.
The Thrill of Repentance
The evidence is everywhere, from Bernie Madoff to Anthony Weiner. It seems no one knows how to repent anymore — least of all, public figures.
Does a Child Know Guilt?
Even children show a sense of responsibility when they cause harm. They experience guilt and remorse, and they try to make amends through acts of reparation.
Acknowledging Our Gravest Sin
Hardly anyone takes sin and atonement seriously anymore. One of the best things about modernity is our focus on the human capacity for nobility.