On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we read the traditional confessional prayer, the Vidui, which has two parts: Ashamnu and Al Chet. Both are written in the first person plural. No matter who surrounds us, we share the responsibility for what we have done wrong and the obligation to do better in the future. Recently, positive versions of the Ashamnu have emerged, helping us appreciate where we have done well in the past year.

These modern interpretations can help you to reflect on where you’ve made mistakes and where you’ve created good in the world. Some people have a custom of beating their fist against their heart as they confess each sin, and of massaging their hearts with an open hand for every appreciation.

Confess/Thorns Appreciate/Roses

We have behaved arrogantly We have adored

We have betrayed ourselves and others We have blessed ourselves and others

We have acted out of contempt We have comforted

We have been dishonest We have directed our energies toward truth

We have erred out of ignorance We have been empathetic

We have forgotten who we are We have forgiven past wrongs

We have gossiped We have grown

We have been hypocritical We have helped even when we weren’t asked

We have been insensitive We have insisted on loving each other

We have justified bad decisions We have been just

We have killed our impulse to do good We have been kind

We have looked the other way We have learned

We have been mean We have been merciful

We have been neglectful We have nursed compassion from scorn

We have acted out of fear instead of love We have been open-minded

We have pushed too much We have spoken positively

We have been quiet when we should have spoken up We have questioned in a healthy way

We have refused to help when we had the ability We have respected our friends and family

We have slandered We have supported strangers

We have taken from others when we had enough for ourselves We have cultivated truth

We have been untrue We have unlearned falsehoods

We have behaved violently We have validated each others’ feelings

We have withheld what could have been given freely We have been willing to change

We have been xenophobic We have experienced pure joy

We have yielded to our worst impulses We have yearned for a better future

We have zealously protected evil-doers We have zestily given our best

Positive Vidui adapted from Rabbi Avi Weiss: https://opensiddur.org/prayers/lunisolar/high-holy-days/life-affirming-vidui-by-rabbi-avi-weiss/

Yom Kippur Ritual

Yom Kippur Ritual