Kol Nidre: 'All vows,' the opening words of the declaration, largely in Aramaic, at the beginning of the evening service on Yom Kippur in which all vows that will be uttered in the coming year are declared null and void. ... An interpretation given to the Kol Nidre is that the congregation declares, by implication, at the beginning of Yom Kippur: "See, O Lord, what miserable sinners we are. We make promises to live better lives each year and yet always fall far short of keeping them. Therefore, help us, O Lord, and pardon us for our shortcomings." Rabbi Dr. Louis Jacobs

Yom Kippur: sundown, Sunday, September 27 to one hour past sundown, Monday, September 28.

I've often thought that on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism --the Day of Atonement-- the whole world should be Jewish. Especially our world's leaders. This year more than ever, they could all benefit from a good, hard look into a personal and national mirror.

Yom Kippur is about much more than Religion. It's about Humanity. Personal faith. Humility. Empathy. Responsibility. Accountability.  Putting yourself in another's shoes. Doing not harm, but good.

Understanding why your actions could cause distress, or worse. Trying to be a better person. A better member of the human race.

I can think of many people around the world who could use a day to reflect on the value of humanity and responsibility to oneself and others.

A day to atone for sins committed this year. A day to vow to try harder next year. To be more honorable, more decent, more understanding. To take responsibility for our own actions.

A day to honestly and sincerely request another chance.

One full day to put the world aside and take a hard look inside ourselves. No excuses. No distractions.

I can dream, but it won't happen. Too many apparently incompatible self-interests, political and economic agendas. Too many animosities, too much rage. Intolerance. Hatred.

But I can hope that for Jews around the world at least, it will happen. Tonight. Tomorrow. On Yom Kippur.

After the evening meal many Jews spend the next 25 hours fasting, praying, reflecting on our behavior during the past year, asking forgiveness for our sins and transgressions.

Especially personal ones. Why? Because they signify we didn't take responsibility for our behavior. We were selfish. Put our own needs first. Didn't consider --or worse, ignored-- the consequences to others.

I have many friends and family members to whom I've already offered my sincere apologies for any and all offenses. I have pledged to do better. I will spend tonight and tomorrow figuring out how.

I have made wonderful friends online whom I can't call or see in person, so these genuine, deeply sincere words of apology will have to do.

If I have offended, hurt or otherwise caused any kind of distress, I am truly, sorry. It is not in my nature to cause pain or discomfort in others. Yet, I am often guilty of perpetuating unintentional cruelty in the name of humor or in the heat of debate without fully realizing the unhappiness I might have caused.

I should know better. I want to be a better person. I pledge to cast pettiness and selfish goals away. To use my gifts --my words-- with kindness and care.

Please accept my heartfelt apologies for offering anything but support, comfort, applause, appreciation, civility and, most of all, friendship.

With faith and love, I say to all:

If you fast, May You Have An Easy Fast.

Whether you are Jewish or not, May Your Name Be Written In The Book of Life For Another Year.