Vidui as Communication: Building Relationship, Not Self-Flagellation

Rabbi Zweig addresses fundamental misconceptions about vidui (confession) that pervade our approach to the High Holy Days. He begins by highlighting the Sforno's question about "Vidui Masoh" - how can reciting that we fulfilled all our obligations be called "confession"? Similarly, the recitation during bringing bikurim (first fruits) is called vidui in the Jerusalem Talmud (תלמוד), though it's merely recounting Jewish history. The core problem, Rabbi Zweig argues, is that we've adopted a Christian model of confession - beat yourself up, feel guilty, get clean, then start fresh with a license to sin again. This creates a destructive cycle where post-Yom Kippur we feel we can "afford" some transgressions since we've been cleansed.