As we mentioned above, Yom Kippur is a time of repentance, forgiveness, and atonement. The primary component of repentance is regret expressed through verbal confession. The Sages formulated a uniform confession in the plural recited by everyone on behalf of the entire Jewish people. Nevertheless, every individual should think about their own individual transgressions as well.
When one knows that detailing one’s sins would help one repent more profoundly, one should quietly do so. One should regret these sins and resolve to avoid repeating them.
The confessional prayers should be recited while standing. It is proper to bow the head or bend a little to show humility. It is customary to lightly beat the chest during the confession, as if to admit, “My heart caused me to sin.”
The confessional prayers are repeated ten times over the course of Yom Kippur.
