Yom Kippur is a day of deep introspection, teshuvah (repentance), and renewal. It’s a time when we look within ourselves and reflect on how we treat others, especially those in our community who are vulnerable—like teens at risk. These young people, often carrying unseen burdens of trauma, abuse, or alienation, need our support, compassion, and understanding. The story of Yonah, read on Yom Kippur afternoon, provides powerful insights into this responsibility and the transformative power of teshuvah.
The book of Yonah begins with a prophet running away from his divine mission. Hashem calls upon Yonah to go to Nineveh, a city filled with people entrenched in wrongdoing, and to call them to repent. But Yonah flees, trying to escape both his mission and Hashem. This aspect of the story reflects the experience of many teens at risk. Just as Yonah tries to run from his problems, so too, teens at risk often run—from pain, trauma, and from a world that they feel does not understand them. They may seek refuge in destructive behaviors, pushing away those who care, much like Yonah fled on a ship to Tarshish.
But the story doesn’t end there. When Yonah is swallowed by the great fish, it becomes a place of reflection and transformation. Inside the belly of the fish, Yonah experiences the depths of despair, yet it is in this moment that he calls out to Hashem, expressing the hope for redemption and a second chance. For teens at risk, moments of darkness often feel like they are trapped in the "belly of the fish," surrounded by confusion, pain, and a lack of direction. But like Yonah, they too have the capacity for teshuvah—for a return to themselves, their communities, and to hope.
We must be the ones to help guide them back. Yonah didn’t come to the realization of teshuvah on his own—he was pushed toward it through divine intervention and circumstances. Similarly, many teens at risk need people in their lives to reach out and show them the way back, whether it’s family, educators, or mentors. Just as the sailors on the ship sought to save Yonah, despite not fully understanding his internal struggle, we too must offer compassion and guidance, even when the path forward isn't clear.
For parents of teens at risk, the journey can be particularly painful. They may feel helpless, watching their child struggle and run from them, much like Yonah tried to escape Hashem’s call. But just as Yonah found his way back, there is always hope for their children. Parental support is essential, even when it feels like the teen is pushing them away. Parents can serve as a steady, loving presence, offering patience and understanding, and creating a safe space for their children to return to when they are ready. Like the sailors who threw their belongings overboard to save the ship, parents may need to make sacrifices—of time, energy, or expectations—but their unwavering support can be the lifeline their child needs.
When Yonah finally arrives in Nineveh, he delivers Hashem's message. Remarkably, the people of Nineveh listen, repent, and are spared from destruction. The lesson here is profound: no one is beyond redemption, no matter how lost they may seem. This message is especially vital when thinking about teens at risk. The world may view them as troubled or beyond help, but Yonah’s story teaches us that change is always possible. With the right support, even those who have strayed far can find their way back, just as Nineveh did.
The themes of Yom Kippur echo this belief in transformation and hope. In the Vidui (confession) prayers, we confess our sins in the plural—"we have sinned," "we have betrayed." This teaches us that we are not only responsible for our individual actions but also for the collective well-being of our community. If there are teens among us who are at risk—whether due to trauma, substance abuse, or feelings of isolation—we must ask ourselves: what have we done to help them? Yom Kippur is a time to reflect on whether we have been like Yonah at the beginning of the story, running away from those in need, or like Yonah at the end, actively seeking to bring about healing and repentance.
As we gather together on this holiest of days, Yom Kippur, we are called to introspection and to reflect not only on our own actions but on our responsibilities toward others. It is a time to realign ourselves with the values of justice, compassion, and care for the vulnerable in our society. Our prayers remind us that we are not just individuals standing before God, but a collective—a community bound by shared responsibility. In this spirit, we are called to give a voice to the voiceless. Just as we pray for those taken as physical hostages in Azza, we must also remember those who are held hostage in their own minds, trapped by anxiety, depression, and the heavy burden of mental health struggles.
Yom Kippur is a day of release, a day when we seek to break free from the chains of guilt, sin, and spiritual bondage. But we must not forget those among us who are bound by emotional and psychological chains, who need our support, empathy, and action. Let this day not only be about personal atonement but also about the ways we can uplift and help liberate others—whether they are suffering from the traumas of war or the silent pains of mental health. Just as we ask for forgiveness and mercy, may we offer it to those in need. May we become agents of healing and peace, in both the physical and mental realms, as we enter the new year with renewed purpose.
The haftarah from the prophet Isaiah reinforces this message:"Is this the fast I have chosen? A day for afflicting oneself? Is not this the fast I have chosen: to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free?" (Isaiah 58:5-6).
Isaiah reminds us that true repentance goes beyond fasting and prayer—it requires action. It’s about helping those who are burdened, those who feel oppressed and trapped by circumstances beyond their control. For teens at risk, these burdens are often invisible. Isaiah’s words compel us to see the pain that is hidden and to act with compassion, offering support and tools for healing.
As we journey through Yom Kippur, let us take to heart the lessons from Yonah’s story. Like Yonah, we may be reluctant to confront the difficulties that lie ahead, but ultimately, our mission is to help others find their way to teshuvah. Let us emerge from this day with a renewed commitment to be a source of guidance, love, and support for every member of our community, especially those teens who are struggling, and for the parents who bear their own burden of worry and pain. May we be worthy of helping them return to a place of light and hope, just as Yonah and the people of Nineveh found their way back.
G’mar Chatimah Tovah—may we all be sealed in the Book of Life, and may we help ensure that others are as well.
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