(Adapted from a shiur given by R' Yisrael Rot shlita)
In the great Viduy of Al Chet, we recite a long list of sins: “For the sin we have sinned before You without awareness... with awareness... with deceit... with impure speech... with idle chatter... with lashon hara... with greed... with arrogance... in secret..." A long list of sins.
And then we say: “For the sin we have sinned before You with the yetzer hara.”
The question is, surely this statement is redundant. Every sin we listed is the work of the yetzer hara! If so, what is added by saying: “With the yetzer hara”?
To understand this, let me share with you a remarkable story about the posek hador, Rav Nissim Karelitz zt"l, as told by Rav Natanel Rosenblatt shlita.
The Story
A baal teshuvah once came before Rav Nissim Karelitz and complained:
"It isn't fair. Hashem did not distribute the yetzer hara equally. I have a huge yetzer hara — and the Rav has a small one. How is that just?"
It was nighttime. Rav Nissim told him:
"Come to me tomorrow after davening, and we will speak on the way to my home."
The next morning, the man arrived at shul. After davening, a long line formed — people waiting to ask Rav Nissim halachic questions. The baal teshuvah stood nearby, waiting and waiting.
Finally, Rav Nissim began walking home, surrounded by questioners. The man followed behind.
When they reached the house, Rav Nissim said:
"I am about to eat my morning meal. Come inside and we will talk."
He washed his hands. But before they could begin speaking, the phone rang — a halachic question. Then another call. And another. One question after the next.
Only after a long while did Rav Nissim finally turn to the man and say:
“You saw what happened here. Just as you had to wait in line to speak with me — so too the yetzer hara must wait in line. He cannot simply enter. He has to wait his turn."
Then Rav Nissim added:
“Other people, because they are free and idle, the yetzer hara arrives without waiting — and is admitted immediately."
Now We Understand the Viduy
This is the meaning of: “For the sin we have sinned before You with the yetzer hara."
It refers to the sin of having free time, of being idle, of leaving an opening through which the yetzer hara can enter without waiting.
If we were constantly occupied with Torah and mitzvos the yetzer hara would have no access. He would arrive and find the door closed.
But when we have “empty time,” when we are unoccupied — he enters freely.
Let us internalize this. If we immerse ourselves in Torah and mitzvos, if we fill our days with purpose, if we leave no empty spaces — the yetzer hara will have no place to enter.