| From the Chasidic Rebbes
"For the sin that we committed before you through our evil inclination."
[Yom Kippur Confessional] We confess fifty-three different "For the sin
that we committed", but only with one of them do we mention the evil inclination.
That is because most sins are done through our "good" inclination; that
is, we sin and see it as good. Only rarely does a person feel that he has done
something wrong, and recognize his evil side. Rabbi Pinchas Horowitz A
Jew once came to the saintly Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin and cried, "Rebbe!
I am a very great sinner and I want to repent."
"So why don't you repent?"
the Rabbi asked him.
"I don't know how," he replied.
"Where did you learn
how to sin?" the Rabbi asked.
"First I sinned, and only afterward did I learn
that it was a sin," he exclaimed.
"In that case, you already know how to proceed,"
the Rabbi said. "Just repent. Afterwards you'll see that you did it properly!"
From the Kabbalists The ten days between the
New Year and the Day of Atonement allude to the Ten Emanations, for on the Day
of Atonement He is exalted by them - "The Eternal of hosts is exalted through
justice," as is known in tradition. Furthermore there is also a sign about this
in the heavens, for this month of Tishrei has as its constellation the zodiac
sign of the Balance, thus signifying that in this month, "A just balance and scales
are set by the Eternal."
Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman (known as 'RAMBAN' or
'Nachmanides')
From the Chabad Masters
"You put forth Your hand to sinners, while Your right hand
You stretch out to repenters." [Yom Kippur Neilah Repetition - right
after Kedushah] The idea of "a hand to sinners" can also be understood
to refer to the potential and aid made available to sinners to allow them to fulfill
their choice to sin, where "a hand" refers to a minimal allowance. The
stronger expression, "Your right hand You stretch out," denotes the
actual encouragement and help given affectionately to those who sincerely want
to return from their sinning ways but are finding the change difficult. Rabbi
Levi Yitzchak Schneerson
Some Laws and Customs
"For the sin we have sinned before
You." (Yom Kippur prayers) When confessing our sins it is customary
to beat the chest just over the heart as a symbol of repentance as each transgression
is enumerated. Yet logically the opposite would seem to make more sense: Should
not the heart strike out at the hand that actually committed the sin? Our intention,
however, is the source of all transgression -- the lusts and desires of the heart
that lead to sin. (Hegyonot Shel Ami)
Another explanation for
this is the rule which states that in a case of capital punishment, the condemning
witness casts the first stone. Since we are accusing our hearts of being responsible
for our sins, we strike our hearts heavily.
(Sefer HaMatamim)
'REPENTANCE, PRAYER and CHARITY avert the
severity of the decree."
(From the repetition of the Yom Kippur
Musaf Amidah) "Out with the old year and its curses!
In with the new year and its blessings!"L'shana
Tova tikateiv v'tihateim
MAY YOU BE INSCRIBED AND SEALED
FOR A GOOD AND SWEET YEAR
OF HAPPINESS AND GROWTH! The ASCENT
staff 
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