Confessions: Niatznu

We have provoked and angered God. (Artscroll Vidui) “Woe to a sinful nation, a people heavy with iniquity, evil doing seed, corrupt children. They forsook God, they provoked – Niatzu – the Holy One of Israel, they drew backwards.” (Isaiah 1:4) Rashi translates Niatzu as angered.  Targum Yonatan reads this as ‘they despised the awe of the Holy One.’ Metzudat Tzion translates Niatzu as to treat without respect.

Talking during prayer or the Torah reading is treating God without respect. Speaking or acting without awareness that I am wearing Tefillin or sitting at a Shabbat table is included in the Metzudot’s definition of Niatznu.

The Metzudot would include the times we joke inappropriately while studying Torah in Niatznu.

Tikkun/Achieving Greatness

Respecting our Mitzvot, prayer and Torah study.

Treat our relationship with God with respect.

Stop once during davening – Praying – or learning just to respect what you are doing.