Rabbis for Human Rights Yom Kippur viduis are intended to remind us of our sins (transgressions) in the hope that we will find the wisdom to do better in all that we touch in the coming year.

The vidui (recounting of our sins) during the High Holidays is intended to make us feel uncomfortable, to confront us with the wrongs we have done. This vidui relates to our society today, to the way in which we treat the unemployed and disadvantaged, immigrants, migrant workers, single mothers, the elderly, the exploited women, the Arab citizens of the State and the Palestinians, and those we disagree with politically. Each one of us is guilty of some of these sins; collectively, we are guilty of them all.

The Vidui is the characteristic prayer of Yom Kippur recited ten times in all during the day. It contains two parts: a shorter, alphabet cal version (in Hebrew) cataloguing of our sins and a longer version of the same in which each line begins with the words: “Al Chet … ” (for those sins …). For example : for those sins we committed in dishonouring our parents and teachers, for those sins we committed by foolish talk, for those sins we committed be gossiping, for those sins we committed by pointless hatred, etc.

In confessing one’s sins to G-d, one realises and regrets all the wrongs one has done. Confession is also vital to repentance since we assume the obligation not to repeat those sins again.

5768 Vidui

Al Chet 5768: English [PDF 33 KB]
Al Chet 5768: Hebrew [PDF 81 KB]

5767 Vidui

Al Chet 5767: English [PDF 50 KB]
Al Chet 5767: Hebrew [PDF 101 KB]

5764 Vidui

Al Chet 5764: English [PDF 138 KB]
Al Chet 5764: Hebrew [PDF 201 KB]

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Categories: Yom Kippur
Tags: human rights, palestinians, settlers