Engaging w/ Elul August 16, 2013

What does it mean to repent?
  To make inward acknowledgement of my sin,
 to be truly heartbroken over my sin
, to be deeply ashamed of my sin, 
to make open confession of my sin
, to make full restitution for my sin
, to seek reconciliation with others for my sin
, to resolve firmly not to duplicate sin
, to ask Divine aid in avoiding such duplication, 
to beg God's forgiveness for my sin, 
to find the burden of my sin now removed, 
to know the comfort of God's pardon and the sweetness of atonement
, to be tempted to repeat the same sin, but overcome with God’s help such repetition, 
to find it more difficult now to sin than not to sin
– Rabbi Herschel Matt, Walking Humbly with God.

~Rabbi Evon