Home » Poems » Gershon Wolf » The Essence of Yom Kippur, Outside of Synagogue

The Essence of Yom Kippur, Outside of Synagogue

I’m sorry, honey.
  O.K. I accept your apology.
No, wait. Hold on.
  What is it? 
I mean it. I'm really sorry.
  Are you?
Yes, I am.
  How would I know?
I’ve thought about what I’ve done.
  That’s it?
And I’m never going to do it again
  Even if you find yourself in the same situation?
Yes, even then. … I'm determined to overcome my baser instincts!
  Even if there's no one there to catch you transgressing?
Yes. Even if I'm by myself.
  Then you really are sorry.
And ashamed of myself, before God, for letting you down, honey. 
  Thank you. I accept your apology now whole-heartedly.
Let's go to synagogue now. Let us praise God and ask for His forgiveness, that we may atone for all of our sins...

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Harry Horsman

Date: 11/1/2022 11:10:00 PM

Belated congratulations for POTD with this splendid poetry. Harry

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 10/12/2022 2:27:00 PM

Yes, in unity you go! Congratulations on POTD! Praise the Lord!

John Watt

Date: 10/9/2022 11:47:00 PM

Wonderful insight into humility, forgiveness, and atonement. Congrats for your POTD acknowledgement Gershon ~ jw

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 10/7/2022 6:40:00 PM

We should say sorry when we’ve said something we shouldn’t have said so that it doesn’t fester in one’s head. Congratulations on poem of the day Gershon. All the best, Belle

Valsa George

Date: 10/7/2022 5:03:00 AM

A heartfelt apology will wipe away all ill feeling and earn greater blessings from God ! A poem with a sweet message. Congratulations Gershon on your POTD

Gershon Wolf
Date: 10/7/2022 2:48:00 PM

Thank you for your insightful comments, Valsa, and for noticing this POTD. Blessings, Gershon

Charles Messina

Date: 10/7/2022 3:43:00 AM

Great take on Yom Kippur, Gershon. Mazel Tov...on POTD. ~CM

Gershon Wolf
Date: 10/7/2022 2:56:00 PM

Thank you for noticing this one, CM. Happy weekend! :) gw

Tom Cunningham

Date: 10/7/2022 2:25:00 AM

Belated congratulations Gershon, greetings from Italy. Tom

Gershon Wolf
Date: 10/7/2022 2:54:00 PM

Hey, Tom! Aloha from Itala... Oops, wrong country... or just the wrong greeting? lol. ~ Dazed and Confused

Michael Tor

Date: 10/6/2022 8:29:00 PM

Gershon my friend. I am late to realize your Wonderful Poetry has received the Highest Award for a Poem Exceptionally written. Congratulations my Dear Friend for this Great Achievement. Your Poem Of The Day, was a great one to choose. It reflects your dedication to your faith and Honor to God. May he richly bless you for bringing attention to The Essence of Yom Kippur. Again BIG CONGRATULATIONS..Enjoy...

I Am Anaya

Date: 10/6/2022 5:31:00 PM

Congratulations on your POTD GW! Sweet as you, enjoy your day!

Robert Gorelick

Date: 10/6/2022 5:06:00 PM

Congratulations on POTD, Gershon! Excellent take on this day of atonement. G'mar chatima tova! Robert

Malabika Ray Choudhury

Date: 10/6/2022 4:46:00 PM

Congratulations, Gershon, on your well-deserved POTD. Brilliant and poignant! Blessings ~ Mala

Ann Peck

Date: 10/6/2022 4:00:00 PM

Such a sweet poem, Gershon, and lovely explanation of Yom Kippur. Congratulations on POTD! Now, go kiss your wife. :)

Heidi Sands

Date: 10/6/2022 3:07:00 PM

Congratulations for this great POTD Gershon! Enjoy :)

Susan Lawrence

Date: 10/6/2022 12:23:00 PM

Wow...So poignant and real Gershon! A beautiful moment in time revealed. Congratulations on POTD ! Blessings, Susan :)

Panagiota Romios

Date: 10/6/2022 11:34:00 AM

Oh, this makes my day, Gershon to see you get the POTD..Tov! One of the best writers here! Not only that, but you are humble! AND…you are not a sometimes friend!! You are a steady one, to walk the road of like with! Your honesty is like a beacon in a murky world full of Lashon Hora! Love and High Respect, Pangie

Gershon Wolf
Date: 10/6/2022 11:48:00 AM

You are so nice to me, P... and what have I done to deserve it?! ... I say it's just your sunny personality shining through. Thank you, thank you, thank you. ~ Sunshine and Radiance, Gershon

Jim Slaughter

Date: 10/6/2022 10:05:00 AM

This Day of Atonement seems to be ready-made for married couples. A very good choice for POTD, G...and I do not apologize for that.

Gershon Wolf
Date: 10/6/2022 11:49:00 AM

You know, I never thought of it that way until recently, Jim. But True Repentance can establish and save or enhance marriages in so many ways. Where the rubber meets the road, as they say...

Arlo Parker

Date: 10/6/2022 9:13:00 AM

Aesop Wolf...sound instruction in a story. Well done indeed. POTD congrats!! :o)

Gershon Wolf
Date: 10/6/2022 11:49:00 AM

Thank you so much, Arlo! ~ A. E. Sop

L Milton Hankins

Date: 10/6/2022 8:34:00 AM

Congratulations, my friend, on your P.O.T.D. Enjoy it!

Gershon Wolf
Date: 10/6/2022 8:50:00 AM

Thank you, Milt. Much appreciated. Blessings and Bounty, Gershon

Bill Baker

Date: 10/6/2022 8:07:00 AM

Back to say CONGRATULATIONS! on your POTD, Gershon. Well deserved my friend. Enjoy your special day! Bill

Gershon Wolf
Date: 10/6/2022 8:50:00 AM

Thanks for coming back to this one, Bill. You get 'Comeback of the Day' award! Huzzah! :) gw

Constance La France

Date: 10/6/2022 7:22:00 AM

Gershon, congratulations on receiving the POEM OF THE DAY honor, Constance

Gershon Wolf
Date: 10/6/2022 7:33:00 AM

Appreciate YOUR recognition, Constance. Light and Joy, Gershon

Becky Forbes

Date: 10/6/2022 7:17:00 AM

WootWoot!! Congrats!!!

Gershon Wolf
Date: 10/6/2022 7:33:00 AM

OK, Becky. Hoot-hoot, I guess... Many thanks, my friend in fun. Laughter and Levity, Gershon

Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 10/6/2022 5:57:00 AM

Open communication and true conviction with forgiveness. Awesome. Congratulations on your honor of POTD gw. laf

Gershon Wolf
Date: 10/6/2022 7:31:00 AM

Thanks for the kind words, Linda. Forgiveness and Equilibrium, Gershon

Jeff Kyser

Date: 10/6/2022 5:56:00 AM

Congrats on your POTD, Gershon! Have a blessed day

Gershon Wolf
Date: 10/6/2022 7:31:00 AM

Jeff, thank you so much. Here's to you, my friend.

Paulette Calasibetta

Date: 10/6/2022 4:24:00 AM

Gershon, congratulaitons on your POTD. Accepting our transgressions and asking God for his forgiveness sets us free. G'mar chatima tova! ("May you be inscribed in the Book of Life for good") :)Paulette

Gershon Wolf
Date: 10/6/2022 7:30:00 AM

Wow! First G'mar chatima tova I've ever gotten on the Soup. Thank you so much. May you and yours be granted the full bounty of the Season! Mo'dim L'Simcha! ~ Gershon