Kol Nidre Prayer: All vows, prohibitions, oaths, consecrations…that we may vow, swear, consecrate, or prohibit upon ourselves- (from last Yom Kippur until this Yom Kippur, and) from this Yom Kippur until the next Yom Kippur…regarding them all, we regret them henceforth. They all will be permitted, abandoned, canceled, null and void, without power and without standing. Our vows shall not be valid vows; our prohibitions shall not be valid prohibitions; and our oaths shall not be valid oaths.
So let me get this straight. We start Yom Kippur, the day we ask forgiveness for our sins, the holiest day of the year by renouncing the vows and promises we made? How strange is that? Can I really unobligate myself just by saying a prayer? Are all my committments really null and void? Are the promises I am making this year just lip service? The issue becomes even more interesting when you remember that Judaism is based on a promise, a covenant between God and His people. So how can we begin Yom Kippur with an annullment of everything we hold sacred?
First, it may help to understand how and why Kol Nidre came about. It was not originally part of the Yom Kippur holiday. It was created during the Inquisition when torture and forced conversions were common. Kol Nidre was created so Jews could be released from promises they COULD NOT keep under penalty of death- keeping shabbos, keeping kosher, etc.
Kol Nidre soon took on a deeper meaning. If I am excused from my obligations, this might be a good time to re-asses my obligations- habits that might be tying me down. Must I really follow the NFL and tie up my Sundays? Must I be a slave to fashion or the internet first thing in the morning or texting or the myriad of apps on my iPhone? How many of these “obligations” have I just accepted as part of my life without them adding meaning to my life? Yom Kippur is a gift from God that gives us a chance to re-think and muster the courage to rid ourselves of useless obligations and promises. Kol Nidre is the beginning of that process.
PS. Judaism is filled with apparent contradictions. But there is a reason for everything, and I mean everything. It can be fascinating to understand your tradition and the reasons behind the things that don’t seem to make sense. Keep asking questions, attend classes, study.
Love,
Dad
