The Shabbat before Yom Kippur carries a sacred designation: Shabbat Shuva, the Shabbat of Return. It echoes God's Intimate call in Malachi 3:7, “Return to Me, and I will return to you.”
How do we cross the distance between where we are and where we ought to be? Hosea 14 offers us timeless guidance, proclaiming, “Take with you words and return to God… offer your prayers in place of sacrifices.”
This verse also powerfully refutes the missionary claim that without Temple sacrifices we have no way to receive atonement for sin.
Hosea is teaching that sincere prayer is accepted in place of sacrifices. No wonder King David proclaimed, in Psalm 51:17, “The sacrifices of God are a broken and contrite heart.”
Prayer is so central to forgiveness that on Yom Kippur we repeatedly proclaim God’s words to Moses found in Numbers 14:20, “I have forgiven them, according to your words”
Repentance and prayer are a gift of Divine compassion and mercy, as Daniel 9:18 reminds us, “We do not present our supplications before You because of our righteousness, but because of Your great mercy.”
Yet, repentance and prayer are only part of this divine gift. Earlier, in Daniel 4:24, he counsels us to “Redeem our sins through charity.”
Together, Teshuvah (Repentance), Tefillah (Prayer), and Tzedakah (Charity) form a sacred pathway to restore our personal relationship with God.
May this Yom Kippur bring you deep spiritual renewal and a profound encounter with God’s unconditional love, compassion, and forgiveness.
During these sacred and auspicious days, we have a unique opportunity to turn spiritual inspiration into action.
For decades, Jews for Judaism has worked tirelessly to strengthen Jewish identity, heal families, and save Jewish lives.
As we seek God’s mercy this Yom Kippur, we respectfully ask you to join hands with us as partners. Please open your heart and give generously today because together we can continue our vital work.
May the merit of your charity bring you and your family blessings of happiness, health, and success.
Gmar Tov,
Rabbi Bentzion Kravitz
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Jews for Judaism
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Los Angeles, CA 90035