Every hour another Tzora another tragedy,
A new day and again another calamity,
Is there a Jewish soul that does not sigh?
Is there a Jewish heart that does not cry?
Is there a Jewish pulse that does not fear?
Is there a Jewish eye that does not tear?
Especially in these High Holy days when,
All our thoughts and deeds are scrutinized again.
Mi Yichye Umi Yamus, Mi Bikitzo Umi…
Who doesn't shiver "what will my verdict be"?

Our sages have given us advice true and sound,
Teshuva Tefilla and Tzedoka turn the decree around,
Because Hashem in his kindness is so simple to please,
He accepts our Teshuva with love and with ease,
But when it comes to matters between me and you,
Teshuva Tefilla and Tzedoka alone will never be able to,
Get me pardon or to fully release me,
From my debts accrued through my sins and iniquity.
The one crucial thing that I must now do,
Is to personally ask forgiveness from you.

"Please forgive me", I beg you from the depths of my heart,
I have suffered a lot. Believe me, in every pain I have a part.
So why don't I come and speak to you directly,
Instead of writing to you in a paper publicly?

It's because I don't remember you or your name,
Many years have passed, and it is not the same,
I might be your neighbor in shul or an old friend,
A sister's tenant or substitute teacher at year's end,
The child down the block, the collector at the door,
The secretary at the office or the clerk at the store,
The mother at the playground, the nameless person you met,
Exchanged words and went on, time makes one forget.

Perhaps I was abrupt to you; perhaps I wasn't nice,
I might have rudely interrupted you once or twice.
I may have turned my nose or slammed the door in your face,
Or passed you and brushed by with a brisk pace.
You held he door for me and I sailed right through,
Perhaps you said Hello and I didn't even acknowledge you
You might have felt slighted or carried 'round a grudge,
After you've gone out of your way for me, and I didn't even budge.

Or it might have been much, much deeper wound,
Loshon Hora from my tongue might have left you ruined,

Instead of lifting your spirits I made you feel like a fool,
My quick temper might have put you to shame,
You were innocent, and yet I put you to blame,
You needed to be encouraged yet I put you down,
You needed to smile yet I gave you a frown,
I was too hurried and unfair and many time partial,
Choosing to side with the popular and influential.

Or just the opposite might be true,
I was the student, who constantly tortured you,
Instigating and laughing at you was part of the fun,
Talking and publicizing your failure to everyone.
You were unaware because I knew how to hide,
I didn't stop until I had everyone on my side.
Or I was your classmate, who didn't give you a place,
Secretly felt good when you were in disgrace.
I never included you or made you feel accepted,
You wanted to be my friend and you were rejected,
Or I might have borrowed something and I forgot,
Whether a pencil, a game some food or a pot.
Money coming to you even if it is only a penny,
It is all written down in Shomayim, the few and the many,

I as an individual and Klal Yisroel as a whole,
Since we are all connected as one body and one soul.
Are paying a heavy price for all these careless sins,
Because only with forgiveness, can I ever be cleansed.

And though passage of time may dull forgotten stings,
There is a chesbon in shomayim for all of these things.
So if you read this plea and know of my whereabouts,
Contact me right away so that we can iron things out.
But if you don't know where I am residing,
I beg you to say this three times loud and strong,

"I forgive you and I forgive evry yid for every single wrong,
Whether done with malice intentionally,
Or whether said in haste thoughtlessly.
Whether I am aware of it or not,
Whether I remember or forgot,
Through speech or thought or another pretext,
Whether they are in this world or the next,
Please Hashem, erase it, I humbly insist,
Null it void it as if it does not exist."

And Hashem in His kindness will do the same,
He will accept us and forgive us; take away the pain.
He will mend our broken hearts and wipe away our tear,
Hearken to our prayers for a good sweet new year.

L'iluy Nishmas:  Moshe ben Aharon
Mershulam Zishe ben Shraga Shmuel