Parashah of the week: Yom Kippur

One minor setback is that although we are generally aware of large mistakes we made, as they weigh heavily on our hearts, we may not recognise that our soul is also affected by the “little sins”, the ones that don’t even register on our conscience. The joke that cut through someone’s fragile self esteem, the casual gossip that ruined another’s reputation, the slight lowering of religious standards that seemed to make no difference in our lives.

All these stain our souls in a more subtle way, and we don’t point them out to Hashem (our Supreme soul cleaner) or ourselves. We don’t realise that they harmed us or others, so we don’t ask forgiveness or feel regret.

Hashem is available to help us make the most of this day, so in preparation, we can ask Him to help us identify and recognise any mistakes or failings that need to be corrected. It is natural to rationalise our actions and therefore we may need some help to truly see the cause of those stains.

This year, as we prepare for this awesome (and special) day, may we be open to looking for all those “mini” slips, so that we can admit and correct them, and come out of Yom Kippur renewed, refreshed, pure and clean once again.