* Translation by Yehoshua Siskin
Wow. The picture below was taken last night. Thousands of Jews gathered at the Western Wall and in synagogues around the world to begin Selichot prayers which, according to Sephardic tradition, are recited from the beginning of Elul until Yom Kippur. Ashkenazim begin Selichot on the Saturday night prior to Rosh Hashanah.
Rabbi Joseph Dov Soloveitchik said that in reciting Selichot these words stand out: “We have sinned before You.” Yes, we have sinned, but we are before You, opposite You, with You. God is with us even after we have sinned, even after we have made mistakes. He waits for us, listens, and forgives.
This is a process that includes embarrassment and regret. We do not claim that everything about us is perfect, and it’s clear that we need to improve. But the main idea is that it’s possible to change. In being together with You, we are asking for a fresh start.
Think about a world that lacks the Selichot of Elul, heaven forbid. And now think about our world, in which the Selichot of Elul are a fixed tradition. Instead of being mired in frustration and sadness, we channel these emotions into soul-searching, prayer, self-improvement, and Teshuvah.
Selichot tovot, besorot tovot.
