You Say Atonement, I Say Repentance

This being Wednesday night, it is now Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. This is the day when Jews reflect upon the previous year, and contemplate how they will be judged in the eyes of God. More importantly, it offers an opportunity for each individual to perform a self-evaluation. But what exactly does "atonement" mean? According to Merriam-Webster Online, the definitions are:

1 obsolete : RECONCILIATION

2 : the reconciliation of God and man through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ

3 : reparation for an offense or injury : SATISFACTION

Several other dictionaries included both a Christian definition, and one related to reparations or compensation for a wrong. Obviously, in terms of Yom Kippur, we'll leave the Christian definition aside. But I find definition 3 above highly inadequate when it comes to Yom Kippur. When we think about the wrongs we commit, most cannot be compensated for in a tangible way. If you said something to a loved one you later regretted, or fell short on a promise, or committed any number of other such transgressions, the toothpaste is already out of the tube. You can't make reparations for what has happened, except the pledge to not allow it to happen in the future. In my mind, a more apt description of this day would be the Day of Repentance. The dictionary definition of teh verb "repent" is:

1 : to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life

2 a : to feel regret or contrition b : to change one's mind

That makes a huge difference. Simply providing reparations or compensation, even where it is possible, does not cleanse one's soul. It's like a large corporation harming someone through irresponsibility, writing a cheque to the victim, and going about its business as usual. But taking the time to feel contrite for one's actions and their consequences (definition 2a) is what Yom Kippur is all about. And hopefully that will lead to making the effort to examine the condition that led to those symptoms, and working to improve it (definition 1).

Coming on the heels of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, this is the true origin of the New Year's Resolution, except that is largely a spiritual resolution. Sadly, many people go through the customs, go to synagogue services and fast for Yom Kippur, but they either fail to grasp their personal responsibility on this day and for the coming year, or they lose interest in it faster than they do in their new gym membership after January 1st. I will try to do better this year. Thank you for bearing with me.