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Today’s Daf – Menachot 83 / Apr. 4th, 2026 / י״ז בניסן תשפ״ו

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Confession, Viduy

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resource

Age: 12-14, 9-11

Source:

Ashamnu – we have trespassed; Bagadnu – we have dealt treacherously; Gazalnu – we have robbed; Dibarnu dofi – we have spoken slander; He’evinu – we have acted perversely; V’hirshanu – we have done wrong; Zadnu – we have acted presumptuously; Hamasnu – we have done violence; Tafalnu sheker – we have practiced deceit; Ya’atsnu ra – we have counseled evil; Kizavnu – we have spoken falsehood; Latsnu – we have scoffed; Maradnu – we have revolted; Niatsnu – we have blasphemed; Sararnu – we have rebelled; Avinu – we have committed iniquity; Pashanu – we have transgressed; Tsararnu – we have oppressed; Kishinu oref – we have been stiff necked; Rashanu – we have acted wickedly; Shichatnu – we have dealt corruptly; Tiavnu – we have committed abomination; Ta’inu – we have gone astray; Titanu – we have led others astray.
(From the Machzor for Yom Kippur, Ashkenazi rite)

אָשַׁמְנוּ. בָּגַדְנוּ. גָּזַלְנוּ. דִּבַּרְנוּ דֹּפִי. הֶעֱוִינוּ. וְהִרְשַׁעְנוּ. זַדְנוּ. חָמַסְנוּ. טָפַלְנוּ שֶׁקֶר. יָעַצְנוּ רָע. כִּזַּבְנוּ. לַצְנוּ. מָרַדְנוּ. נִאַצְנוּ. סָרַרְנוּ. עָוִינוּ. פָּשַׁעְנוּ. צָרַרְנוּ. קִשִּׁינוּ ערֶף. רָשַׁעְנוּ. שִׁחַתְנוּ. תִּעַבְנוּ. תָּעִינוּ. תִּעְתָּעְנוּ:
(מתוך מחזור ליום כיפור, נוסח אשכנז)

Foundations for Planning:

Background for Teacher

The Viduy or confession forms part of the daily morning service, but most Jews are familiar with it as part of the Yom Kippur service. The prayer is composed as a acrostic, where the sins appear according to Hebrew alphabetical order. A surprising feature of the prayer is that it is worded in the first person plural (we have sinned), highlighting the idea that “all Jews are responsible for one another.” Each individual is responsible not only for their own actions, but also for those of the people around them. The plural form reminds us that an individual’s actions are often the result of the influence of the society or community in which they live. While reciting the prayer, many people beat their chest or heart as a symbolic expression of remorse. The fixed format of a prayer on such a personal subject invites discussion regarding the advantages and disadvantages of routine prayer as distinct from personal devotion and spontaneous prayer.

Optional Hooks

In-Depth Discussion

Suggested Activities

Further Study

How to do it

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Click here to view our consolidated list of suggested interactive pedagogies for classroom discussion.

A central part of the process of cheshbon nefesh and repentance on Yom Kippur is the confession for our sins over the past year, along the lines of the sins mentioned in the Viduy prayer. Why is it hard for us to admit to our sins?
Try to explain why our tradition decided that confessing our sins to God is an essential part of the process of change. How can reciting this prayer help someone in their process of cheshbon nefesh?
It is surprising that a prayer about such personal matters (our sins) appears in the plural (we have sinned). Offer an explanation for this. What do you think about the fact that the prayer appears in the plural?
What benefit can come from a prayer that follows a fixed wording and is recited by everyone? What disadvantages does this bring? How can we add a personal touch to the fixed prayer?
Why do you think the person who composed this prayer chose to write it in alphabetical order? What messages was he trying to convey? (If the students pray regularly, you could ask them if they can think of other prayers that are also written in alphabetical order – such as Ashrei or El baruch gadol de’ah).
Many people beat their chest while reciting the Viduy prayer. Why do you think this custom developed? Think of another example of a Jewish custom where a symbolic act expresses an idea.
For older students: The first word in the prayer is Ashamnu – we have trespassed or been guilty. This is the keyword for the whole prayer. Is the feeling of guilt important? How can guilt be problematic?

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Achievements and Skills:

Development of the Oral Torah

How do I grow as a result of the Jewish calendrical cycle?
How do Jewish practices reflect Jewish values?
How does the idea that Jews everywhere celebrate the same holidays and pray the same prayers connect me to the Jewish community?

Key Discussion Terms

What is the role of expression and speech in the process of cheshbon nefesh (soul searching) and teshuva (repentance)?
What responsibility do I bear for the actions of others?
What difficulties are encountered in the process of cheshbon nefesh and teshuva?

Fundamental Concepts

How do I grow as a result of the Jewish calendrical cycle?
How do Jewish practices reflect Jewish values?
How does the idea that Jews everywhere celebrate the same holidays and pray the same prayers connect me to the Jewish community?

Vocabulary

What is the role of expression and speech in the process of cheshbon nefesh (soul searching) and teshuva (repentance)?
What responsibility do I bear for the actions of others?
What difficulties are encountered in the process of cheshbon nefesh and teshuva?

Menachot 82

Rabbanit Michelle Farber

Confession, Viduy

Background for Teacher

Development of the Oral Torah

Key Discussion Terms

Fundamental Concepts

Vocabulary

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