Discuss:
How does it feel to experience forgiveness?
Does it feel different as the forgiver and the forgiven?
Why is forgiveness important?
It is related that when Rabbi Zeira had a complaint against a person who insulted him, he would pace back and forth before him and present himself, so that the person could come and appease him. Rabbi Zeira made himself available so that it would be easy for the other person to apologize to him.
Discuss:
What makes forgiveness easy or difficult?
How can you encourage others to engage in forgiveness?
How does forgiveness impact a community?
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם הֲרֵינִי מוֹחֵל לְכָל מִי שֶׁהִכְעִיס וְהִקְנִיט אוֹתִי אוֹ שֶׁחָטָא כְּנֶגְדִּי בֵּין בְּגוּפִי בֵּין בְּמָמוֹנִי בֵּין בִּכְבוֹדִי בֵּין בְּכָל אֲשֶׁר לִי בֵּין בְּאֹנֶס בֵּין בְּרָצוֹן בֵּין בְּשׁוֹגֵג בֵּין בְּמֵזִיד בֵּין בְּדִבּוּר בֵּין בְּמַעֲשֶׂה בֵּין בְּגִלְגּוּל זֶה בֵּין בְּגִלְגּוּל אַחֵר לְכָל בֶּן אָדָם וְלֹא יֵעָנֵשׁ שׁוּם אָדָם בְּסִיבָּתִי:
Siddur Sefard, Bedtime Sh'ma
Master of the Universe, behold, I now forgive all who have angered or provoked me, or sinned against me, whether to my body, my property, my honor, or to all that may belong to me,
whether they were forced, it was intentional, unintentional or unaware, or with full awareness and intention
whether through speech or act
whether in this incarnation or another incarnation--
every person--and bey they not be punished at all on account of me.
Discuss:
Who do you need to forgive?
What does it mean to truly forgive?
How can we forgive ourselves?