The 13 Attributes of Mercy

[muman613]

During the somber day of Yom Kippur we strive to receive forgiveness for any transgressions which we have committed against Hashem. It is a day of confessions, it is a day of affliction through the fasting and the avoidance of pleasurable washing, it is a day of remembering the struggle which we face day in and day out. But what we truly seek on this day is Atonement, the cleansing of sins from our record. When we are forgiven we are free to move forward and not feel shame for when we have missed the mark.

The 13 Attributes of Mercy are told to Moshe when he goes up to Mount Sinai after the sin of the golden calf. Hashem is so furious at the Bnai Israel that he is prepared to destroy the entire nation and establish Moses {and his descendants} as the new chosen people. But Moses will not allow that to happen. He prays for Hashem to forgive the people, even telling Hashem to remove his name from the Torah if he will destroy the Jews who left Mitzrayim.

So Hashem reveals to Moses some of the secrets of how his mercy works... This is what he says:

Merciful G-d, merciful G-d, powerful G-d, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in kindness and truth. Preserver of kindness for thousands of generations, forgiver of iniquity, willful sin and error, and Who cleanses. (Exodus 34:6-7)

In Aish.com's discussion of the 13 Attributes the concept of Spiritual Sensitivity is discussed:

http://www.aish.com/h/hh/e/48960016.html
SPIRITUAL SENSITIVITY

There's a different approach that goes deeper. The purpose of mentioning the "13 Attributes" is to focus us on the nature of G-d, to realize that He is merciful. (Even though we already know this, we keep forgetting!) We have no trouble remembering what foods give us indigestion or to keep away from poison ivy. So when we have clarity on the existence of G-d and the truth of Torah, why do we forget?

The answer is because we've never really experienced spiritual indigestion. When you've had a bad experience with food, you're careful after that. You've experienced the full consequences of your actions, and you remember what it feels like.

With the spiritual, your conscience may bother you, but you've never experienced the full result of sin. This is both because we're not fully in touch with our souls, but more importantly because in His mercy, G-d does not allow us to immediately suffer for what we've done wrong. According to the "attribute of justice," a sinner should drop dead on the spot. We survive because the Almighty is merciful and gives us a chance.

This is why the "13 Attributes" speak of "G-d's patience." The same G-d Who created you with a clean slate and a world of opportunity gives you another opportunity after you've misused the first one. If you truly understand what "wrong" means, then even if you seem to be benefiting from your wrong actions, you have to tune into G-d's mercy and see what He's doing for you. Then, that success will not mislead you, because you'll be humbled. "I was rude to others and nevertheless I became popular -- because G-d is patient and loves me." Rather than using your success as a way of clouding truth, use it as a way of appreciating G-d's care and closeness.

It is clear that the Torah tells us that Hashem has the capacity to forgive even some of the most grave sins if we should be able to do a complete Teshuva, and be able to never again commit the same sin again.

I hope that some readers are currently preparing for the upcoming Awesome day. It is important to use the day in order to think about how we can actually perform the mission which we were all created to complete. Once we can understand who we are and our place in this world we can really shine like Hashem wants us to.

May everyone have a blessed Yom Tov!