The Attitude of Gratitude
That's why the old Jews have to weep more than the younger Jews; because Hashem forgave them many more years. It’s no harm for a young Jew also to weep when he asks for forgiveness but an older man even more. Another year passed by? You gave me another year, Hashem? Hoho, I'm more bent over to You.
Now you’re coming back for another one? Every year he comes and asks for another one?! Hakadosh Baruch Hu might say, “Look, so many times I gave you another chance and you disappointed Me. You want another chance? Again and again?”
So you fall down on the ground on Yom Kippur and you beg, “Please give me another chance! I know it's ridiculous for me to ask You Hashem, but I have to have it.”
And Hakadosh Baruch Hu says “Alright.” Chanun hamarbeh lisloach. You estranged yourself from Me again. And you rebelled against Me again. But since you’re saying Avinu Malkeinu again and you mean it, so I’ll take you back again.”
And so as you are bowing your way out of Shemoneh Esrei, when you're finishing Yom Kippur, don't congratulate yourself that you deserve a full pardon for whatever happened. That’s the wrong attitude. Instead you should feel full of gratitude.
That’s also a good thing to think about in that first Shemoneh Esrei after Yom Kippur. Baruch Atah Hashem chanun hamarbeh lisloach – We thank You Hashem! How many times You forgave us!
