This Yom Kippur, What Should You Atone For?

By: Zoe Samuel

5 Min Quiz

Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

The name "Yom Kippur" means "Day of Atonement." It is a day set aside to atone for the sins of the past year. I probably don't need to tell you that doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun. Man, I can't even think of all the things that I did wrong today, let alone everything I have done wrong over the last year. What about you? Would it be easy for you to figure out what you have to atone for, or would you have to spend some time thinking about it?

The thing is, this stuff could be big or small. It could be the time you flirted with that married guy at work, or it could be the time you yelled at your dog because you were grumpy. Hey, remember that time that you wished that your best friend would get dumped by her boyfriend because you wanted her to spend more time with you? Yeah, that counts. What about the time you got change back for a twenty and you actually gave the clerk a ten? Yeah, that was awful of you.

Looks like you've got your work cut out for you. Take this quiz and tell us what you need to atone for this year.

Did you meet most of your deadlines?

Not many

Of course
I missed a bunch.

Met them? I exceeded them!

Did you regularly take your stress out on other people?

Not really

Yes, to my shame
A few times

Only very rarely

Did you ever post a passive-aggressive social media post?

No, that's not me.

No, I post aggressive-aggressive if I'm going there at all.
A bunch of times

Once, maybe

How many belated birthday wishes did you send?

All my birthday wishes were belated.

I didn't send many wishes.
Most of them

I sent them all on time.

Did any relatively small chore from your to-do list stay on it longer than two months?

Oh goodness, all of them

No, I'm proactive.
A bunch of them, yes

Only one or two

Have you paid down your debts this year?

No, they got worse.

Yes, a lot
I just about stayed ahead of them.

I paid them off!

What are you most proud of this year?

Not a lot, to be honest.

I worked hard.
I took care of myself better than usual.

I upped my income.

What are you least proud of this year?

I didn't achieve as much as I set out to achieve.

I actively alienated folks I care about.
I neglected people I care about.

I didn't take care of others.

Is there anyone you really ought to apologize to?

I don't even know anymore.

Yes, a bunch of people
I've already started.

Yes, a few

What would you like to do better next year?

I would like to meet my goals.

I would like to be kinder.
I would like to think before I act.

I would like to be more generous.

Did you help anyone out in a big way this year?

Sometimes

Yes, but I was grudging about it.
Not really

No, but I could have.

How stingy have you been with yourself this year?

Well, I couldn't be bothered to spoil myself, so by default, I was very stingy.

Very
Not at all

I was generous to myself this year.

How stingy have you been with others?

Not very, it's easier to buy people things than make an effort after all.

Fairly
Quite a lot but I didn't mean to.

Very

Do you often find things in drawers or closets that you had completely forgotten you ad?

No, but only because I never look.

No, I'm quite organized.
All the time

Yes, I have so much stuff.

When was the last time you cleaned out your attic or storage?

I don't remember.

Last week
Maybe six months ago

I don't clean it out, I just get another closet if I need one.

Do you know what is in your bank account?

Nope

Yes, to the dollar
I'm afraid to check.

No, but it's a lot!

Did you plan your spouse's birthday?

Yes, but I sort of half-assed it.

Yes, it was nice.
No, and I feel horrible.

Yes, I spoiled us both.

Did you complete any major home improvement projects?

No, but I meant to.

I painted.
One or two

I bought a new house!

Did you make any career progress?

No, I actually got fired.

A little
I guess... I gained a year of experience.

Loads!

Can you do more or fewer sit-ups than a year ago?

I don't even know.

More
Way fewer

Fewer

Did you ghost anyone?

Not on purpose

Yes, because they deserved it.
Yes, on purpose

No, I was attentive.

Did you hurt someone's feelings without realizing at the time?

Only by omission

No, I knew I was doing it.
Yes

Pretty sure I didn't.

When one of your friends had a good break - a promotion, an engagement, etc - how did you react?

I said well done.

I sent candy.
I liked something about it on social media.

We went to dinner.

Did you take any steps to make your lifestyle more environmentally friendly?

I recycled like three bottles.

Yes, I eat less meat - it saves money and carbon.
I didn't, no.

I bought a hybrid.

Did you overspend your income without there being any major expenses that month?

No

No, because I am careful.
Several times

Most months, yes

Did you give anything to charity?

I meant to but I never got around to it.

A little
I might've, I don't remember.

A lot, but I did it very publicly so people would know.

Did you ever stay home from work even though you weren't sick?

Six or seven times

I wouldn't dare.
Once

Absolutely not

Did you make too many allowances for yourself?

Oh dear, yes

No, I'm disciplined.
A few

Yes, and I have the figure to prove it.

Were you harsher on others than on yourself?

No, I was the same to all.

Yes, and I regret it.
A little, yes

No

What would you prefer to atone for?

Being too hardworking

Being too nice
Being hesitant

Being too giving

5 Minute Quiz 5 Min

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