What Is Worthwhile to Ask For on Yom Kippur?

On Yom Kippur, it is worthwhile to ask for the strength to change ourselves.

There is a single force in nature, an upper force that created us and governs everything. Our spiritual work is to connect with this force and use it to change our inner nature.

Our matter is a desire to enjoy, which we received in a form opposite to the upper force, which wishes solely to bestow delight. The change we seek is to shift our desire from focusing on self-benefit to benefiting others. This change, from receiving to giving, is the essence of spiritual work.

However, we cannot achieve this change on our own. Our role is to recognize the negative qualities within us, called the “recognition of evil,” and to ask the upper force for help in invert them into positive ones.

On Yom Kippur, we should sincerely ask for this transformation — to overcome our self-centered nature and develop a genuine desire to love and care for others.