The normative approach to Yom Kippur is that it is a day set aside when we as individuals and as part of the larger community ask for forgiveness. Hence the term Yom Kippur which means the Day of Atonement.

It's not uncommon however, for Yom Kippur to be referred to as Yom Hakippurim-the day of Atonements. Why in the plural...why does the very term imply an atonement beyond that of the individual human being.

Some suggest that its in the plural because we seek not only our atonement but atonement for our beloved who have died. Others suggest that we seek atonement for ourselves as individuals and also for the community as a whole. A delightful tale offers an insightful idea.

One Yom Kippur a congregant of the father of the Hasidic movement Rabbi Yisrael Baal Shem Tov entered into the synagogue, prayed for several moments and left.

The rabbi was stunned. The congregant was well known in the community and had finished his prayers in such haste. "Why," the rabbi asked him, "were you so quick?"

"I'll tell you," the man replied. "I felt that the prayer I offered connected to God. I sensed deep inside that God had heard my requests."'

"What did you say, "the Baal Shem Tov asked, "What did you say that made you believe God listened?"

"I admitted before the Holy One, blessed, be He, all my sins. I indicated that there were days that I missed prayer, and yes, as a butcher there were times I was not honest in measurements. Looking up to the Ark I said to God, "I'll make a deal with you. If you forgive me, I'll forgive you for all the pain that too often suffuses the world."

The Baal Shem Tov looked at the man, embraced him and said. "Naarishe kind - foolish child, you had God by the coattails. You could have asked him to forgive the entire Jewish people, indeed the entire world."

Thus, Yom Kippur is Yom HaKippurim in the plural. It is a day when we are in search of God, even as it is a day when God is in search of us.

And it is a day when we seek forgiveness of God and God seeks forgiveness of us.


Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Avi Weiss