Op/Ed
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September 19, 2008
Repentance And Computers
Rabbi Paul D. Sidlosky
Special to the Jewish Times
A newspaper article entitled “Ctrl+Z Defies Reality” caught my eye this past year. It points out that, in our high-tech world, we have become accustomed to erasing errors by pushing a button.
Make a mistake on the computer? Hit “Ctrl+Z” or “undo.” TiVo allows us to pause and rewind a show, as one would do with a DVD. What a world!
The writer then describes how “Ctrl+Z” presents a problem, as we have come to expect life to work like this. Didn’t catch what someone said? Push a button. Want to go back in time and do something again? A simple click will do it. Unfortunately, as we know, life does not work like technology.
The article was light and enjoyable, without delving deeply into the implications of this phenomenon. But, in fact, we cannot just erase mistakes or take a simple “do-over,” as in a children’s game. We have to accept our mistakes as real and irreversible. This is a very difficult concept, not only because technology often spoils us, but also because mistakes are inevitable and, at times, quite serious. They can cause physical and/or emotional harm that may be long-lasting.
Judaism recognizes the gravity of our words and actions, giving us guidelines by which to live our lives, and avoid costly errors. But it also acknowledges our shortcomings. One of the Hebrew terms for “sin” is cheyt, from the root meaning “to miss the mark.” Like an archer shooting an arrow, we often miss the mark. At times it is intentional; at times, unintentional. At times, we narrowly miss our intended target; at times, we miss by a large margin. But small or large, intentional or not, we all make mistakes. Judaism has therefore encouraged teshuva, or repentance, as a way to atone for our wrongdoings. Teshuva is by no means a simple process, like “Ctrl+Z.” It takes thought, time and effort. But, in the end, it is worthwhile, strengthening one’s character and relationships with others.
Teshuva can always be practiced, but these upcoming High Holy Days are when we think most about it. The process begins in earnest during this current Hebrew month of Elul, and intensifies with the observance of Selichot this coming Saturday night. This is a time to take stock of our actions and to begin a sincere period of reflection and self-improvement. We have been far from perfect over the past year and others have been less than perfect to us. We wish we could erase what has happened, or go back in time to change it; we can’t. Instead, however, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to make up for what has happened.
True teshuva involves prayer and it involves action. It means saying we are sorry to others and vowing not to repeat our mistakes. With “Ctrl+Z,” we learn nothing, except that mistakes are not a big deal. Through true teshuva, we grow as a person. We see that mistakes are serious, but that we can work to change the present and the future, to make up for what we have done wrong. Because it is not a small thing to correct an error, and because we have made the effort to do so, we are worthy of forgiveness, and others are as well.
This High Holy Day period, whatever our place on the spectrum of Jewish observance — from the most observant to the unaffiliated — we all can affirm our worth as Jews and as human beings, and our ability to grow in the coming year. It is a chance for us to undergo extensive soul-searching, thinking seriously about teshuva and forgiveness. Whom have we hurt, and how can we begin to make amends? These are questions worth exploring, so that our interactions with our families, friends, colleagues and community as a whole can benefit us all.
May our true efforts ultimately lighten the heaviness we feel, and bring us closer together in all of our relationships.
L’Shana Tova!
Rabbi Paul D. Sidlofsky, rabbi/educator of Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, is a member of the Baltimore Board of Rabbis. This article does not necessarily represent the opinions of other BBOR members.