31. Machshava

Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchot Bein Adam L’Chaveiro

Before Yom Kippur, it is customary to ask others for forgiveness whom one has wronged (Rema, O.C. 606). Some explain that one cannot achieve forgiveness from Hashem until receiving forgiveness from those who one has wronged. Others explain that we wish to imitate the angels on Yom Kippur, so we must demonstrate our unity as a people, which can only take place after forgiveness is received for all of our sins bein adam l’chaveiro.

This custom forces us to think carefully about who we may have insulted or harmed over the past year, either publicly or privately so that we can properly ask for forgiveness. Many of us may ask forgiveness from those whom we never hurt but will shy away from reaching out to those who we have seriously harmed or shamed. Now that we have learned some of the halachic guidelines about shaming others, let us take this opportunity to recognize and rectify our previous transgressions in this realm as well as consider how to interact with others in the future in a manner that avoids these situations from occurring. Wishing everyone a gmar chasimah tovah!