These ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are traditionally the days when Jews ask forgiveness from people and from G-d for any wrongs we might have done throughout the year.
I’m not religious by most definitions, but I’ve always liked the concept, and particularly the notion that we need to be forgiven by people before we can be forgiven by G-d. The latter part is personal, but the former is, I believe, a prerequisite for all people of any religion or background who live in a society. See, a sin against G-d, such as failure to keep Shabat or eating pork, could only potentially affect the person committing it, so it’s up to each of us to decide for ourselves what we choose to observe. However, sins against our fellow human beings cause real harm to people. It’s the so-called “victimless crime” argument; a crime becomes more serious due to the consequence of committing harm to someone else.
So, in that spirit, I ask forgiveness from anyone reading this who I may have wronged in the past.
And, if you’re in the process of doing the same, and one of the people you happen to have wronged last year is Stephen Colbert, here’s how to make amends:
Just the other day, I was listening to the Way of the Master (I heard about the banana argument) and they suggested that breaking the ten commandments was an offense against God. Since he is the most important person (victim), one deserves the greatest punishment (hell).
Listen Bubelah; you’re gonna be busy for the rest of the year apologising to all the unfortunates whose dinners were interrupted by your fundraisers…;)