Forgiveness: A How-To Guide

A Chance to Start Over

By Brad Hirschfield

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, falls this week. It's a day of repentance and forgiveness -- both giving it and getting it. Neither of those is easy, but both are within our grasp.

Forgiving someone means that we find the strength to go beyond ourselves to a place that helps us see those who have hurt us in a new way. That's never easy. Seeking forgiveness requires us to confront the past, see what we have done wrong, and commit to changing our behavior. That's huge. But like the ability to forgive others, it is within our grasp. So with Yom Kippur approaching fast, here are some tips that will help you to forgive those who have hurt you and seek forgiveness from those you have hurt.

Rabbi Brad Hirschfield is the President of CLAL, The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership. He blogs on 'Windows & Doors' for Beliefnet.