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Adapted from Sefer HaCarmel of the Malbim, "Selach"
At midnight, Saturday, September 24, 2005, Ashkenazic
Jewry begins to recite the Selichot prayers.
There are many different terms used to express
forgiveness in the Torah and Rabbinic liturgy. "Yislach", "kapara"
(literally, "atonement"), "nosay avone", (literally "bear iniquity"), "ovair
al pesha" (literally, "forgive transgression"), "nirtzeh avono"
(literally, "repentance for the iniquity is acceptable"), "avonatee
macha" (literally, "erase my sin"), "kabsainee ma'avonee" (literally,
"cleanse me from iniquity"), "may'chatotee taharaynee" (literally,
"purify me from my sin"), and more.  | | " Only "Selicha" can denote absolute forgiveness..." | | |
Each one has of course, its special meaning and
represents a unique form of rectification. For instance, when one says, "I have
removed from you all your transgression", it infers that the transgressions have
a reality of their own, only now they are removed from any association with the
person. "Bears iniquity" - that the iniquity remains, only G-d bears it and
suffers with it. "He erases iniquity", means that G-d represses its effects. But
when sin or iniquity is forgiven, then the result is as if the sin never had a
existence at all. "Selicha" means complete forgiveness so that there
remains absolutely no trace of the sin. For only "Selicha" can denote
absolute forgiveness.
It is interesting to note therefore, that the word "selicha"
in all of the Tanach is only used by G-d himself and never between one person
and another. A person cannot repair something as if it was never ruined. Only
G-d can give absolute forgiveness so that the transgression is forgiven as if it
never occurred.
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