Al Chet 15

Exploring the Al Chet Prayer
Rabbi Shraga Simmons

15. For the mistakes we committed before You by exercising power.
God apportions to everyone exactly what they need: whether wealth, intelligence, good fortune, etc. Only when we feel our position is independent of God do we seek to dominate others for our own advantage.

Ask yourself:
Did I take advantage of those who are weak -- either physically, economically or politically?
Did I manipulate or intimidate someone into doing something he'd really rather not have?

Al Chet # 15
44 Roots of Mistakes
by George Brock

The Sin: The Mistakes we committed before You by exercising power.

G-d gives to everyone exactly what they need; whether it is wealth, intelligence, good fortune, etc.
Only when one feels his position is 'independent' of G-d, does one seek to dominate others for one's own advantage.

The Battle: Arrogance {vs} Humility. The Arrogant- value their cause above all else.
The Humble- hold firm to G-d's values no matter what.

One can use his strength to help the weak (or) one can use his strength to overcome the weak.
The battle is waged between the path of men (selfishness)/ and the Divine path of G-d (selflessness).
The Arrogant- answer to no one and seek their own path, the Divine path is no longer Divine.

The Victory: Comes if one will allow G-d to change him by recognizing:

That for the Humble:

It's not what one has bought- but what G-d has built.
It's not what one has got- but what G-d has given.
It's not one's success- but one's significance in helping G-d to make the world a better place.
That it's not what one has learned- but what one has shared.

The goal: Is to realize- there is only G-d, so one must seek to sanctify everything to G-d- (Avadah hakodesh). Not seeking to separate things from G-d. (Avadah Serah).

Then; one must give thanks in all things, realizing that everything comes from G-d and is for everyone's ultimate good.
Finally; one should repent and ask G-d to help one change, from having a negative, arrogant attitude- to a positive, humble attitude. This will help one to overcome the mistake of trying to exercise one's power over others.