A COVID-19 Al-cheyt על חטא

Al-cheyt, for the mistakes we have committed:

By standing too close to one another, even in solidarity and in protest;

By not always wearing masks even though we know it is important;

By being guests in a friend’s home and eating meals together and by reciprocating that hospitality;

By not understanding well enough how this virus affects our neighbors and not trying hard enough to help those in need, material or otherwise;

By returning to the beach and park and gym again and again;

By touching our faces, all the freaking time;

By hoarding goods like eggs, toilet paper, & flour;

By feeling relief when we are spared, even though we see that others are not;

By valuing our money more than physical well-being;

By blaming others for the spread of infection,

By going overboard with social media and Netflix;

By not calling our mothers enough.

For putting too much trust in our leaders, under a false illusion that we are their first priority.

For all these,

pardon us, forgive us. It’s been a really hard year.