Let's Not Forget What We Did Right

 

We are entering a season of confession. Starting with Selichot, we will confess dozens of times before Yom Kippur ends. Parshat Ki Tavo contains a unique type of confession.

“Asiti k’chol asher tzivitani - I have acted according to everything that You commanded me.” (Devarim 26:15)

This verse is part of the confession which is recited when one turns over the tithes to their rightful recipients. Why are we commanded to confess to doing the right thing? Confession is usually associated with making amends for mistakes!

Often, we feel improving means to admit mistakes and talk about what went wrong. The only way to move forward and grow is by admitting and overcoming the mistakes of the past. The lesson of this different confession is that we need to confess what goes right as well. Of course, we must own up to our mistakes and shortcomings. We also need to admit that some things, indeed, are going well. During this season of reflection, we tend to be overly focused on the mistakes, but we need to also remember the good things. This can encourage and inspire us to be even better.

It makes sense that we associate confession with the negative. Often, that is our default setting. Judaism asks us to transcend that default setting. Add a little joy to the reflection and repentance. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks quotes Soren Kierkegaard, who wrote, “It takes moral courage to grieve; it takes religious courage to rejoice.” I know there is plenty of guilt and contrition this time of year – and that’s not all bad. At the same time, let’s not forget what we did right and feel pride and joy over what we accomplished.

During the High Holidays, the verse that stands out for me is “Gilu bi’re’adah – rejoice while trembling.” (Psalm 2) Judaism is a religion of joy. We must declare that we can overcome obstacles and transcend limitations. It need not be easy, but it is always possible.

Let’s confess. Let’s confess to what needs fixing. Let’s also confess to what works while striving for what is possible.