THE ETTINGER REPORT
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) Guide for the Perplexed, 2020
by Yoram Ettinger
September 23, 2020

…Asking forgiveness of fellow human-beings – and not only of God – is a major feature of Yom Kippur. From acrimony and vindictiveness to forgiveness and peace-of-mind. Hence, sinners and criminals are invited to Yom Kippur services. Asking forgiveness is consistent with Leviticus 19:18 (“Love thy neighbor as yourself”), and with the philosophy of Hillel the Elder, a leading 1st century BCE Jewish Sage: “Do not do unto your fellow person that which is hateful to you. That is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary….” Asking forgiveness of fellow human-beings aims at displaying magnanimity, compassion, consideration, responsibility, optimism and faith. It recognizes one’s fallibilities, learning from one’s mistakes, minimizing future missteps, elevating morality and enhancing family and community cohesion. READ MORE