In life we experience three primordial relationships:1.with ourselves,2.with others and 3.with G-d.
If we are failing in one of them, most likely the other two are also lacking.
One of our jobs in the month of Elul, which has its climax in Yom Kipur is FORGIVENESS.
In our prayers before and during the High Holidays we repeatedly ask H”S to forgive us, but in order to be granted forgiveness we first have to forgive ourselves and others, for our relationship with G-d is a mirror image of the other two.
The way in which we ask for forgiveness is in three ways: SELACH LANU (comes from selichah meaning “pardon”).To ask for pardon is to say to the one we have injured “I am sorry for what I did;I sincerely regret having done it and I will never do it again.” According to Halacha (Jewish law) if the person doesn’t forgive us we have to ask three times, if the other refuses to do so he is considered a cruel person and H”S forgives you.
MECHAL LANU (comes from Mechilah, meaning “wiping away.”) this means that we ask the one who forgives to erase the transgression and restore the relationship to its original state.
KAPPER LANU ( comes from Kapparah meaning “atonement”). Here we are saying “my conscience will not let me live with myself, because of what I did to you and to our relationship. Please forgive me and take away the guilt and pain I feel.” This only G-d can do for us by reaching inside our hearts and say, “Be consoled.”
When we are able to forgive others in this way, H”S will forgive us too and grant us the gift of Peace and Consolation. We will change our future because we will no longer have to live with the guilt and pain and the blessings that are meant to come will come.
“Some experts taken from 60 Days by Rabbi Simon Jacobson”
Live a little higher
