A main feature of Yom Kippur is confession. We recite in unison, Ashamnu – we have trespassed. Bagadnu – we have betrayed etc. Then we recite… Al Chait Shechtanu Lifanecha – For the sin we have committed before You, and mention many categories of sins.
Both these two sets of confessions are listed in the order of the Alef-Bais, all twenty-two letters until the last letter, Taf.
What is the significance of expressing confession in the order of the Alef-Bais?
Several answers are offered. When the Torah commands us to confess our sins, it states, ‘V’hisvadu Es Chatosom.’ The seemingly extra word, Es is spelled Alef and Taf, and it is a reference to mention our sins in the order of Alef to Taf.
Our Sages tell us that G-d created the world through the formulation of the 22 letters that are featured in the Torah. Sin disrupts the normal and blessed patterns of the world. As we see that when Adam sinned he was expelled from the utopian Garden of Eden. Therefore, we mention the sins we committed in the order of the Alef Bais because, not only we are repairing and cleansing ourselves from sin, we are cleansing the world and environment that was infected by our sin as well.
The Chidushai Harim in his classical style says that we repent using the Alef – Bais, which has a beginning and end; this serves as a pattern and guide, to help quantify the areas of sin, for if it were left to our own devices to express our sins, the list of sins may just go on and on.
During a class that I presented this week I shared that if we stop and think we may wonder, why does the congregation traditionally recite the Ashamnu in unison with a melodious upbeat tune?
The Chasam Sofer explained that confessing our sins is like a sacrifice. Just as when one offered a sacrifice it brought an atonement, so too, our confession effects atonement as well. And just as when a communal sacrifice was offered in the Temple, it was required to be accompanied by the Levites singing, so too, we accompany the confession with song.
One will notice that the confession that we recite is written in the plural – we sinned. The Torah tells us that each Jew is intimately connected to every Jew around the world. When we recite the confession, it is not only for ourselves but for all Jews as well and we also include sins that we may have not committed, but others have. Thus, confession is considered communal and a communal confession/sacrifice requires song, thus we recite it accompanied with a tune.
Additionally, the Rambam in his book of law lists Teshuva/repentance as a positive Mitzvah. Thus, the Mitzvah of confession should be performed like all Mitzvos, with a sense of joy. Thus, we understand the accompaniment of the melodious tune.
The Tiferes Yisroel explains that when one repents through feelings of love towards G-d, amazingly, one’s sins are actually transformed into merits! Perhaps the tune portrays this!
Yom Kippur is certainly a day of reflection and assessment of our religious commitment to G-d. During this Holiest day, which this year gets an additional boost from the Holiness of Shabbos, thoughts certainly run through our minds about how and what we will accept upon ourselves to strengthen our relationship with G-d during the upcoming year.
A person asked the Chazon Ish, what is the point of even attempting to resolve a commitment for the future? After all, in all honesty as time goes on, we very likely will not hold onto our assurances.
The Chazon Ish responded, “G-d loves one’s feelings of spiritual uplift and commitment even if it is only for a moments time!”