As we approach the High Holidays, it is important to remember that this is one of the happiest periods in the Jewish year. Yom Kippur is often referred to as Yom Hakippurim in the traditional liturgy. The sages taught us that this name holds a secret about its nature. Rather than the Day of Atonement, a day of affliction and sadness; it is the Day Like Purim (ki Purim = like Purim). How is it like Purim? Because on this day we are given a fresh start, a blank slate for the new year. All of our mistakes and sins have been forgiven, the harsh decree has been averted, just as the harsh decree of the Purim story was averted through Esther’s appeal to the king.

We learn that the decree is softened and averted through tzedakah, tefillah, and teshuvah (charity, prayer, and repentance). Torah doesn’t require us to beat ourselves up endlessly. The prophet Isaiah taught us that repentance is a simple matter of turning around, abandoning our sins and doing what is right instead, as he said, “cease doing evil; learn to do good, seek justice, vindicate the victim…if your sins are like scarlet, they will become white as snow” (Is. 1:16-18). Rabbi Lichtenstein taught much the same lesson, “We do not need to rebuke our past, nor punish ourselves for it, we have only to transcend it, to live a better life in the present and aspire to an even better one in the future” (JS&H 213-214).

During this season of teshuvah, remember the joy that comes from doing what is right. Recognize the misery that comes from our misdeeds, both for others and ourselves. Turn away from bad habits and behaviors and embrace the Source of all goodness who acts through us to bring about the redemption of the world.