Vidui - a confession before death - an acknowledgment

I wonder about what my father thought as he was guided through this prayer, as I know he was. If he had the chance to say it in English so he could understand the words... and he was one of those whose contributions to community were so great and I hope he felt the satisfaction with his meaning and contributions in this life.

And what about my mother who died suddenly and was not able to say or even reflect on the vidui or its meaning?

I went to a class on death and Jewish ritual by R. Shelly Marder. That is where we reviewed the Vidui and it's meaning. The traditional prayer is more of a reflection on one's life and an acknowledgment of faith and hope for meaning and redemption.

We focused a bit on the word "redemption" in this sense. It is a connection with the Jewish people and their history as opposed to a comment on the hereafter. I like that. While our lives as individuals have meaning and hope for good impact in this world, we are part of a rich and wonderful history of people striving to make the world better.

- Translation and more commentary is posted on TraditionsRenewed in the page on lifecycle.
Vidui - Translation and Comments

Acknowledgment of mortality and reflection on life.