28 Ways to Evoke G-d’s Compassion  

1. GRIEVING FOR THE DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS (Shabbos 105b) Meam Loez: when a person grieves upon the death of a righteous person, all his sins will be forgiven. Hashem counts these tears and puts them in His treasure house. If a person weeps sincerely when hearing the Torah portion of the deaths of Nadav & Avihu, his children will have a long life. 

2. TESHUVA – REPENTANCE Yoma 86b says, “If an individual repents, G-d forgives him and the entire world.” Rabbi Yonasan said that repentance brings about redemption as it is said, “A redeemer will come to Zion, and to those of Jacob, who repent from willful sin.”  (Isaiah 59:20) 

3. MOVING ONE’S HOME Our Sages tell us that moving one’s home can bring atonement.  

4. ONE’S WEDDING DAY Our Sages derive that on the day of marriage, HaShem forgives a person for all of his sins. (if he does not continue them)

5. SHABBOS There is a teaching in the Zohar that when a person comes home from Synagogue on Shabbos night, two angels place their hands on his head and declare, "Your sins shall be eliminated, and your sins are forgiven." 

6. SUFFERING AND PAIN   Brachos 5a:  In the Rabbinic writings,  there is the concept that pain can be an atonement. 

7. ROSH CHODESH is called Yom Kippur Katan.  In Rosh Chodesh Mussaf: “New Moons have You given Your people, a time of atonement for all their offspring when they would bring before You offerings … to atone on their behalf.”

8.  YOM KIPPUR Hilchos Teshuvah (7:6-7): How great is the power of teshuva on Yom Kippur!  Before Yom Kippur, our iniquities separate us from G-d. (Yeshayahu 59:2)   After Yom Kippur, our offerings are pleasing to HaShem. (Malachi 3:4)

9.   HAVING GUESTS Chazal say that when the Temple stood, the mizbeiach (table) atoned for a person.  Now a person’s table atones.  Rashi says this means the great mitzvah of Hachnasas Orchim. (having guests)

10.  IF ONE COMMITS A SIN & IS EMBARRASSED BY IT, ALL HIS SINS ARE FORGIVEN (Berachos 12 b) Embarrassment is proof of the distance one has placed between himself and the sin. Shame carries intense merit. Jerusalem was destroyed because those who lived there had no shame or bashfulness before one another. Rav Chaim Avrohom Feuer

11.  RECITING THE 13 ATTRIBUTES OF HASHEM Rabbi Yochanan says in Rosh HaShanah 17b: After the sin with the golden calf, HaShem taught Moses the 13 Attributes.  G-d promised him that whenever the Jews would beseech Him in unison for mercy by reciting these 13 Attributes of G-d’s Mercy, He would always answer their prayers at least partially. Alshich explains: HaShem pleads to us to “Perform this procedure,” not just speak about it. We must show human mercy.

12. FORGIVENESS Mida Kineged Mida, when we forgive others, Hashem forgives us. In Kedushas Levi, King David says, “HaShem tzilcha.” (HaShem is your protector, which can also be translated as HaShem is your shadow.)  Just as a shadow follows and imitates the actions of a person, G-d is, so to speak, the shadow of our deeds.

13. SAYING “YEHAY SHEMAY RABA” WITH ALL ONES’ STRENGTH The Shevet Musar quotes the Sefer Chareidim, saying that when one answers, “Amen, Yehei Shemei Raba” in Kaddish, loudly all his sins are forgiven.

14. WALKING 4 AMOS IN ERETZ YISRAEL The Talmud teaches that HaShem forgives the sins of every person who walks four steps in the land of Israel.  Every soul that enters the land is purified. The holiness of Israel guarantees success in the performance of good deeds, acts of kindness, and Torah study. -Based on Alenu Leshabach                                                                                                                            

15.  EVEN SWEAT PRODUCED BY SHOPPING FOR SHABBOS FORGIVES SINS! Shaarei Teshuvah cites the Arizal, that the labor & sweat involved in preparing for Shabbos wipes away the stains of sins, just like tears do. It also says in  the Midrash Tanchuma that the sweat from the preparation for Shabbos is equal to fasting 1000 fasts.

                                                                                                                                                                                   16. THOSE WHO HEAR THEMSELVES INSULTED AND DO NOT RESPOND Our Rabbi taught that atonement happens when those who are insulted, do not insult in return. Fortunate are those who hear themselves being disgraced and choose not to respond. This silence allows 100 evils to pass him by. (Rashi, Sanhedrin 7a) If a person acts leniently regarding slights to his honor, so too Hashem is lenient when judging such a person.” (Rosh Hashanna 17a) 

17.  BEING IN EXILE Our Sages say wandering, sleeping in a different place each night, being in exile, brings atonement.

18.  DANCING FOR A BRIDE & GROOM Our Sages say dancing to gladden a Chasan & Kalla at their wedding atones.

19.  CHALLA In the Yehi Ratzon after one separates Challa: this atones just like the Kohen who took Challa in the Temple.

20. OFFERING A KORBAN IN THE TEMPLE Our Sages tell us, “When the Beis Hamikdash stood, the mizbeiach, table, atoned for a person.” An offering generates great Kedushah (holiness)  & effects a final and complete atonement, B”H soon.

21.  KOHEN GADOL’S INCENSE SERVICE The Sages teach that the High Priest’s incense service in the Holy of Holies atoned for the sins of lashon hara, gossip, slander, and rumor-mongering. These sins that impede repentance, breed hatred, and destroy national unity. (Artscroll’s Yom Kippur - Its Significance, Laws and Prayers, p. 33) 

22.  LEARNING TORAH FOR ITS OWN SAKE Chazal say, “Whoever toils in Torah has no need to sacrifice the different types of offerings.” (Menachos 110a) The holiness of the Torah brings the person as close to God as the cleansing power of a sacrifice.  “The Torah of HaShem is perfect, it restores the soul.” (Tehillim 109) 

23.  MODESTY OF THE MOTHER Tehillim 45:14 compares a modest woman to a Kohen (Mimishbtzos Zahav Levushah). Chazal say, “When a woman is modest in her home, she atones for her family, just as sacrificing a korban atones.”  (Midrash Tanchuma, Vayishlach 6) When a mother conducts herself with modesty, she fills the whole house with holiness. This holiness penetrates the hearts of her family, their deepest feelings, generating the desire for Torah and Mitzvos. 

24.  CHESSED The Chofetz Chaim in Ahavas Chessed explains: “Every man sins each day, so do acts of Loving Kindness each day.”  “Have mercy on your flesh & do chessed.” Why Chessed? Chessed atones for sin, plus we get tremendous merit for it. Chessed is like an atonement because it sanctifies a person and counters the impurity caused by sin.  

25.  WHEN ONE RISES TO GREATNESS Our Sages tell us when a person ascends to greatness, all of his sins are forgiven. At this time, he has access to new opportunities, so HaShem in His compassion forgives his sins in order to give him the confidence needed to forge a new path.

26.  PREPARING  FOR SHABBOS WITH JOY  Sefer Rimzei Shabbos mentions a statement from the Ariza"l that if one toils for Shabbos with joy, he receives atonement for all his sins. 

27.  HONORING ONE’S MOTHER AND FATHER Tana Debei Eliyahoo. Look in Perek chuf vav, chuf daled.

       At the time one is honoring his Mother and Father, there is no sin of desecrating the Shabbos & all other sins. (the sins will not be reminded at that time)

28. PERFORMING THE MITZVAH OF THE FOUR SPECIES ON SUKKOT Every trace of sin and transgression remaining in a person’s limbs, senses, and powers is atoned for through this mitzvah done in love and fear of God.

List arranged by Rebitzen Chaya Malka Abramson  founder of CMBurn Foundation