Cantor And Son Duet: Mochel Avonot (Forgiving The Sins)

This Shabbat, we bless the new month of Av, and it gives me an opportunity to remember an old, pious custom my grandmother used to observe: the keeping of Yom Kippur Katan (a “Minor” Yom Kippur, the day before the new month).
The idea, promulgated around the 16th century CE, is to reflect and atone on a monthly scale, as opposed to the grander repentance of Yom Kippur. Liturgically, the S’lihot service is said, from which this prayer, with its images of mercy and forgiveness, is drawn. My son Daniel and I sang this setting at Park Avenue Synagogue this past Yom Kippur.
To look at repentance as an obligation is to miss the opportunity to find areas in our lives which we want to make better. This summer, a time of rest and renewal, is there something in your life that you want to renew, to make better?
Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom and a good month of Av
Music: Siroto Collection, arr. Stephen Glass
Music Director: David Enlow
AV: Oscar Acevedo, Terrell Simms, Erik Van Batavia, Russell Miller
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