|
It is a tradition in all
Jewish communities to wear
a large tallit on Yom
Kippur evening. The white
of the tallit also serves
to suggest purity and
mercy.
The story is told of a great
righteous man who stood before the
congregation one Yom Kippur eve,
and addressed his fellow Jews, who
were all clad in white garments
and wrapped in their white
tallitot.
My brothers and sisters,
children of Israel! Take to heart
that it is in white garments like
these we are wearing now, that we
shall ascend to the World to Come
to be judged and give our
accounting before the King of all
kings, the Holy One, blessed is
He.
Let us then imagine that we are
standing in this clothing before
the Throne of Glory to be judged
and give our final accounting. We
should have true remorse, for one
who stands before the Throne of
Glory is truly remorseful. But, my
brothers and sisters, repentance
does not avail after death-only
now does it avail! Let us truly
regret all our sins and accept
upon ourselves that we shall sin
no more, and let us ask the King
who grants forgiveness that He
grant us forgiveness and
atonement.
Excerpted from:
The Book of Our Heritage |
