Confessions: Ti’avnu
We have been abominable. (Artscroll Vidui) “How much less one who is abominable – Nitav – and filthy? Man who drinks iniquity like water? I will tell you. Hear me.” (Job 15:16) This describes someone who sins and continues to sin without slowing down.
Ti’avnu describes someone who is quickly pulling away from God, and rejecting a relationship with Him.
“Every haughty heart is the abomination of God.” (Proverbs 16:5) Ti’avnu is referring to personal attributes that are abominable.
“To an even greater extent should he grieve and sigh who has rebelled against the Blessed One, who has been corrupt and acted loathsomely – V’hitiv – before Him, not remembering his Creator, who formed him out of nothingness and dealt kindly with him.” (Rabbeinu Yonah, The Gates of Repentance, First Gate #12)
Tikkun/Achieving Greatness
We should pause when we find ourselves repeating a sin and losing our connection with God.
Refine our personal attributes. Choose the one that needs the most work, such as anger, arrogance, or depression, and strategize how to improve in that one area.