9-29-2025 Yom Kippur 5786

At sundown on Oct 1st, we begin the holiest day of  the Jewish Liturgical Year: Yom Kippur. Rosh  Ha’Shanah provided each of us an opportunity to  take an inventory of our own lives and our  relationships with others. Yom Kippur now allows us  to turn to G-d, to realize that each of us is a mere  mortal, and to seek G-d’s forgiveness for our failures  and sins.  

On Yom Kippur it is traditional to confess our errors,  failures, and sins. During the day think about these  failures. Try to be totally honest with yourself and  respond to them in the privacy of your heart. 

You will find below a list of questions each of us  needs to contemplate and consider. During these  difficult times it is good to think about them, make  the day as spiritual and meaningful as possible and  prepare yourself for this New Year of 5786. 

Ask yourself:  

Have I lied this year? 

Did I distort facts or manipulate my words and  those of other people? 

Did I pass judgment without knowing the facts? Did I deceive others and myself with half-truths? 

Did I use other people’s failings to justify my own  faults? 

Did I do what I wanted to do without regard to  others?

Did I use other people as mere instruments to satisfy  my own needs? 

Have I been selfish and/or self-serving? 

Have I spread malicious gossip? 

In any aspect of life have I been gluttonous? Did I act in an arrogant or superior manner? 

Do I demand one form of behavior for others and  another form for myself? 

Have I failed my family and friends? 

How do I heal the hurts that I have caused?

What do I hope to do differently in this new year? 

How have I lied to myself when I answered these  questions? 

During your fast, try to take the time to think about  each of these questions and how G-d might judge  your answers. 

Let us pray that 5786 will be a better year than last  year and that each of us shall be healthy and safe.  

I pray that your fast be meaningful and filled with a  sense of spirituality and humility. 

In 5786 may each of you be written in the Book of  Life! G’mar Chatimah Tovah!