Ki Tavo

A Positive Confession

Adapted from Rabbi Marc Angel

The Hebrew word vidui is usually associated with prayers in which we confess our sins and our shortcomings.

In Parshat Ki Tavo, we read about a different type of vidui: the vidui maaser, the confession one makes upon paying one's tithes at the Beit Hamikdash, the Jerusalem Temple. The person bringing the tithes was required to state that tithes were properly given to the Levites, the strangers, the orphans and widows. This vidui includes startling phrases in which a person confesses to having fulfilled the commandments completely and correctly!

With the vidui ma'aser, one stands before God and says, without reservation, that one has done one's best to meet all obligations perfectly. We are not used to thinking of vidui in such positive terms. Yet, when we engage in cheshbon hanefesh, self-evaluation, we need to remember our achievements. Just as we are obligated to be honest before God about our shortcomings, we are obligated to be honest about the many positive mitzvot we have performed.

Of course, the vidui maaser is not to meant to be recited in a spirit of self-congratulation. It is supposed to be a candid review of our dedication to what is right and good. So we need to be sure that we can utter the words honestly by fulfilling our ethical obligations.

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