Rev. Vicky's Message September 17, 2026

We are in the midst of the Jewish High Holy Days. They began with Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, which started at Sundown on Friday, September 11, and ended at nightfall last Sunday, the 13th. The High Holy Days then conclude with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, that begins this coming Sunday, the 20th, at sunset, and concludes at nightfall on Monday.

Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year in the Jewish tradition, with its central themes being atonement and repentance. Observant Jews observe this day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, seeking forgiveness from God for all of their sins over the past year.

In preparation for Yom Kippur, Jews are called to review the past year, thinking about anyone they might have hurt, insulted, or short-changed (physically, emotionally, or spiritually) – and then to reconcile, face-to-face with those individuals, sincerely asking for their pardon.

Additionally, just as they must ask for a pardon, Jews are also required to grant pardons, when requested; as well as also let go of old bitterness or resentment towards anyone who has failed to ask for forgiveness.

Bottom line – Yom Kippur requires both looking at one’s own actions and fixing relationships with other people. Jewish tradition teaches a clear rule: Yom Kippur atones for sins between you and God, but it does not atone for wrongs you did to other people until you make it right with them.

Sounds like a very powerful practice; not unlike our New Years' Burning Bowl. But we don’t have to wait for these special times to benefit from the practice of forgiveness.  

Below are five ways that can help us let go, adapted from an article by Debbie Gutfreund, OCD, trauma, and family therapist, life coach, and writer for AISH.com (a Jewish Educational Resource Website... https://aish.com/learning-to-forgive/)

1. Look in the Mirror. Recognize that you have your own imperfections and limitations that others have to deal with all the time. Forgive the weaknesses of others the same way you overlook your own mistakes.

2. See the Big Picture. Think of Yom Kippur as a lookout on the top of a mountain that you have been climbing all year. See your days and their moments spread out before you. Be willing to look now at this big picture of your life. Your ultimate goals. Your beliefs. See each person in your life as part of that picture. What lesson have they taught you even if you had to learn it through pain? What message is God sending you by putting this person in your life?

3. Say Something. Asking forgiveness doesn’t require a long letter or a meticulously planned speech. Often we just need to say something. Anything. I’m sorry. Let’s start over. I want to talk. It’s that first step that begins to chip away at the buried resentment.

4. Break the Cycle. Sometimes we get into patterns with people that we love that aren’t working. Even if you feel that you are ‘right,’ break out of the cycle. Stop having the same argument over and over again. Have the courage to put blame aside and say: Let’s start over. “Insanity is not doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results; insanity is doing the same thing over and over again knowing full well what the results will be.” Anonymous

5. Forgive Life. Sometimes we resent others [or God] for hard circumstances in our own lives. It is easier to blame others than to face our own disappointments. We need to go one step further.

(NOTE: This is now Rev. Vicky speaking, adapting this last recommen-dation to our Unity perspective.)

We need to go one step further.  To accept what is, acknowledging that ups and downs are simply part of life. God NEVER “gives us trials” or “abandons us when we are in need.” Duality is inherent in this physical realm, and challenges are just part of the journey. Blaming is a waste of time and energy, and moreover, undermines our agency to learn from our mistakes and the challenges that life inevitably brings.

And, through it all, God is ALWAYS present; ALWAYS loving us; ALWAYS calling us to our highest good, even in the midst of life’s hardest challenges and struggles. When we pause, and shift our focus from despair to gratitude – we will be reminded of our many blessings – and our way forward will be revealed.   

Many Blessings,

Rev. Vicky