I am a fan of delving into traditional prayer and finding new ways for it to resonate with and inspire my daily life. Rosh HaShanah is a time for reflection on ones actions toward other people and the Lord, and its about making a bonafide attempt to change/better ones behavior. Rather than re-write/replace the traditional vidui (confession), maybe keep these ideas and passages in mind when you pray this Wednesday night and Thursday. Youll find that they keep with the very spirit of Jewish tradition on confession and complement it. What follows is an adaptation of the traditional Ashkenazic confession meant to help focus our minds on the ways in which we might work to make the world more tolerate of “others” (other Jews, non-Jews, whomever) and engage in the positive celebration of diversity and inclusiveness. May we all be inspired to create a better and more inclusive world. ASHAMNU: We have been guilty. In the past year, I discounted the contributions that people unlike me could make to my community. Next year, I will actively search for ways that those people can be involved, constructively, in our communal efforts. BAGADNU: We have betrayed. In the past year, I have betrayed my commitment to the law, “And you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Next year, I will work to love my own “differences” as well of those of my neighbor. GAZALNU: We have stolen. In the past year, I said things that stole away from other’s sense of legitimacy. Next year, I will find ways to bolster other peoples’ respect and acceptance in my community. DIBARNU DOFI: We have been hypocritical. In the past year, I have held people unlike me to a standard to which I do not hold myself. Next year, I will work at equalizing those standards, either by raising my standards for myself, as well as relaxing them for others, or by relaxing my personal standards as well. HE’EVINU: We have caused others to sin. In the past year, I have put up barriers to allowing others to participate fully in the Jewish community and my greater community of all of my friends. Next year, I will help lower the barriers. V’HIRSHANU: And we have made others wicked. In the past year, I persuaded others, in my teaching and my speech, to shrink their boundaries. Next year, I will share messages of inclusion and expansiveness. ZADNU: We have sinned intentionally. In the past year, I have behaved in ways that exclude others, knowing that what I was doing was exclusionary. Next year, I will listen to the whispering voice of my conscience and act on it, so that I do not exclude others. CHAMASNU: We have been violent. In the past year, I have let the ends justify the means, ignoring the hurts that result from the methods I used to achieve my goals. Next year, I will pay attention to the process as well at the outcomes. TAFALNU SHEKER: We have lied In the past year, I have ignored truths in order to maintain my social connections and status. Next year, I will speak truth and work to change opinions of those around me. YATZNU RA: We have given bad advice. In the past year, I have not taken the time to give counsel those who really need my help. Next year, I will use the breadth of my experience to the best possible advantage. KIZAVNU: We have been deceitful. In the past year, I lied to myself, saying that I was excluded for my differences, relying on my sense of exclusion, rather than relying on the ways that my actions contributed to difficulties. Next year, I will attempt to judge others favorably, giving them the benefit of the doubt, before placing all the blame on their shoulders. LATZNU: We have mocked In the past year, I have laughed with discomfort, rather than engaging uncomfortable situations. Next year, I will venture into uncomfortable territory with curiosity, while having compassion on my own discomfort. MARADNU: We have rebelled. In the past year, I have rebelled for the sake of rebelling, not always with an eye to the consequences of our actions. Next year, I will challenge myself to rebel constructively, in ways that enhance my community. *The above was largely written by Rabbi Ruth Abusch-Magder and Maya Resnikoff, and adapted by myself.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Sep 2014 15:54:09 +0000
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