Viduy - Personal admission of sin

Hi,

Part of the process of Repentance is "Viduy," meaning "admission of sin." We perform this as part of the Slichot prayers leading up to Yom Kippur, and it may also be done spontaneously, in private. It may be found in the RCA edition of the Artscroll Siddur, on page 119a.

We incorporate the Viduy in our Yom Kippur Amidah (Shmoneh Esreih), too. The first time we say it is actually in the Minchah (afternoon service) before Yom Kippur, lest a person choke during the pre-fast meal, Gd-forbid, or become distracted and lose his focus so that he will not be able to do a proper Viduy later.

We also customarily recite a Viduy after the meal, before Yom Kippur begins. That is incorporated in many Machzorim as "T'fillat Zakah."

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 607:1; Mishneh Berurah 607:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai