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Thought for the Day: I Am Asking M'chila Erev Yom Kippur 5744

While doing t'shuva is always good, doing t'shuva this time of year, and particularly in preparation for Yom Kippur is on the top of the list.  Every sin that I commit that has a direct negative impact on my fellow Jew or Jews is double -- one sin against my fellow Jew(s) and one sin again HaShem.  Yom Kippur can take care of the sins between me and HaShem, but it doesn't work at all for my sins against my fellow Jew(s); I have to take care of that myself.

First, of course, I need to repair and/or pay back for any damage with a monetary value.  Second, though, I need to make amends and ask m'chila.  Of course, one can and should ask m'chila as soon as one realized his error, but there is also a special obligation to make amends by asking m'chila on erev Yom Kippur.  Asking for generic m'chila in front of a group is very, very b'di'avad.. blasting out an email is certainly worse, and may not work at all.  Posting on a blog has got be be worse yet.  Sigh.

None the less... here I am sending out an email asking m'chila from any one who reads this blog and/or the emails I send out.  I have already approached those whom I think may have offended by my actions or words.  I am still posting this message for two reasons.

First, I have a tendency to speak sharply (part of my "charm") at times to make a point.  I certainly may mean to indicate that I feel strongly and even be displeased, but it is never meant to offensive.  If I have offended you, please believe me that it was not intentional and I humbly ask your pardon.  If you feel I can avoid offending you while still getting my point across, then please let me know and I will make all efforts to mend my ways.

Second, though, because of the medium of blogging, I don't know everyone who may have seen my posts.  For those individuals, I ask m'chila now.  Of course, if they were offended, they may no longer be reading.  Again... sigh... I can only do what I can do.

May we and all of Klal Yisrael have a meaningful day, achieve all that HaShem wants for us, and experience the g'ula shleima bimheira v'yamein.
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