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What is the true purpose of vidui (confession) if it's not about guilt or self-punishment? Rabbi Zweig reveals that vidui means "I want you to continue talking to me" - it's about maintaining and advancing our relationship with Hashem (ה׳). The goal isn't to beat ourselves up and feel clean, but to communicate openly so the relationship can grow stronger.
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.
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Parshas Nitzavim - Vidui Masoh
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