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Viddui is confession of sins. It is said at certain times, such as Yom Kippur and right before one's death. There are different lists of sins that are generally recited — the longest of which, by Rabbeinu Nissim of Bavel, includes hundreds of sins — but it can also be improvised.
Notable Sources
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Confession and the World-to-Come
MISHNAH
Confession before execution is believed to secure a portion in the World-to-Come. The Mishnah, a foundational Jewish legal text from around 200 CE, discusses the practice of encouraging a condemned person to confess their sins before execution.
The Power of Communal Confession
HALAKHAH
The communal aspect of viddui allows the entire nation to participate in repentance, making it deeper and more comprehensive. Rabbi Eliezer Melamed’s contemporary work explains how the Kohen Gadol’s confession on Yom Kippur evolved into a communal practice for all Jews.
A Culture of Honesty on Yom Kippur
COMMENTARY
Yom Kippur encourages a culture of honesty by emphasizing the need to acknowledge sins against other people, not just those between individuals and God. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks explores the significance of the confessions Ashamnu and Al Ḥet in fostering repentance and seeking forgiveness on Yom Kippur.
Confession Beyond Borders
MUSAR
The Torah mandates confession of sins even for Jews living in exile, emphasizing its universal obligation. Rabbi Isaiah HaLevi Horowitz’s 17th-century work, Shenei Luchot HaBerit, uses the example of Daniel to illustrate the importance of confession and atonement regardless of one's geographic location.
The Debate Over Confession
TOSEFTA
The timing and manner of confession during Yom Kippur are debated among the Sages, revealing deep theological insights. The Tosefta, an ancient compilation of Jewish oral law, delves into the specifics of the Yom Kippur service, particularly the Viddui (confession).
The Essence of True Repentance
HALAKHAH
True repentance requires not just verbal confession but also a heartfelt resolution to abandon sin. In his 12th-century legal code, the Mishneh Torah, Rambam emphasizes the importance of sincere repentance and the need to specifically mention one's sins.
A Community in Repentance
COMMENTARY
The communal and extended nature of the confession process underscores the importance of collective repentance and spiritual renewal. This verse from the time of Nehemiah describes a communal act of repentance and Torah reading, reflecting Jewish practices of public Torah reading and communal prayer.
The Sincerity of Confession
COMMENTARY
The sincerity of the viddui (confession) is crucial for true repentance, requiring acknowledgment of wrongdoing, remorse, and a determination not to repeat the offense. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks explores the historical and ritual origins of teshuva (repentance) in the Temple sacrifices, emphasizing the conditions for a sincere viddui.
Confession and Deliverance
MIDRASH
Confession, coupled with singing and uttering psalms, and abandoning one's transgressions, will deliver a person from the judgment of Gehinnom. Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, an early medieval midrashic work, emphasizes the importance of confession and repentance in Jewish tradition.
Confession and Responsibility
LITURGY
The Viddui offers a comprehensive and detailed enumeration of sins, highlighting specific transgressions against both God and man, and expressing a deep sense of guilt and responsibility for each sin. This text is part of the Selichot prayers recited by Ashkenazi Jews during the High Holy Days season, focusing on confession and seeking forgiveness for sins.
Vidui in a Jewish prayer book owned by Rizle Bat Yitzhak, Fürth, Bavaria, 1738
Vidui in a Jewish prayer book owned by Rizle Bat Yitzhak, Fürth, Bavaria, 1738
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