Jews worldwide will observe Yom Kippur Saturday, the most solemn day of the Jewish year, with fasting – and a special prayer. The prayer is called the Viddui, a prayer of repentance and a plea for forgiveness. Reverend David Pileggi serves as the rector of Christ Church in the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City. He has studied the Jewish roots of Christianity for nearly 30 years. “The Viddui is the central prayer of confession and for repentance of the Jewish people on Yom Kippur and it’s a prayer they pray not only
on behalf of themselves but on behalf of all Jewish people around the world,” he explained. He says the Viddui recognizes – as Jeremiah the prophet wrote – that “the heart is deceitful above all things” and that deeds need to follow repentance. “One thing that we learn from the Jewish people, something quite important, especially about Yom Kippur is that it’s not enough to say you’re sorry,” he said. “You have to confess, say you’re sorry and then at the same time take practical steps to change your behavior.” READ MORE
