On Yom Kippur, we face the truth: not the lies, not the headlines, but our raw humanity — broken, striving, forgiven, and always reaching for redemption.
You’ve come a long way in my opinion - but I only knew you through the media as what they showed you to be years ago. Now I read what you write and I have grown to like you very much. I like the way you think, the journey you’ve taken, the way you write and articulate it, and the person that I think you are today - as told by yourself and not the media or your friends or enemies. I will continue to listen to you and appreciate who I think you are. Thank you for all you are doing
I agree completely! Thank you, Michael, for your honesty and vulnerability, in addition to your wealth of knowledge and thoughtful, intelligent insights.
Forgiveness is a powerful thing. Through God we learn to forgive others, but, at the same time we must learn to forgive ourselves. Thank you for sharing. None of us are perfect.
A good question. I don't see forgiveness as wiping away consequences, but being open to a better relationship in the future. We pray that will happen, even as we are realistic about the prospects and continue to speak and act for justice in our nation.
That is a very enlightened stance you're taking, and I appreciate you posting it. For me, some things are simply unforgivable, and much of what Trump and his thugs have done and will do fall into that category.
I can't forgive someone who has not repented and changed their evil ways. Trump is a hopeless case. Too bad he didn't get a damn lifetime TV show. In return for our lack of empathy we are now subjected to the horrors of the sleazy orange slime and his project 2025.
To repent..to feel shame and reflect leads to acts of atonement...only then can forgiveness be given. Even to a religious non believer like me that is the case..it is what our legal system is based on. One thing follows the other. Trump was asked about forgiveness and his reply was that he had done nothing to need forgiveness for.
You stood up against the hate and lies when no one else would. Your strength, honesty and how you've changed from those dark days shines through in all the good you continue to do. Their judgements mean nothing, as you are a good man and work for the betterment of our country. All the best to you and your family.
Michael, you are a fantastic writer and I commend you for turning your life around. But I live by a motto you should live by: “What other people think of you is none of your business”. It helps me to ignore real and perceived judgments about me and just be my best self. That is all we can ask of ourselves.
Michael, I agree! Please allow yourself to let go of “suffocating yourself with a bag over your head”. What people think of each of us is only a projection of how they truly, maybe unconsciously, feel about themselves. If you can, please stop taking on other people’s 💩 💩 💩. Extending love to you and your family.
Michael! You ARE a good man and a brilliant writer that adds SO much to the conversation, Meidas+ and beyond. Thanks for being in the here and now, not the past. SHALOM
Long ago when I was struggling under unfounded accusations from some truly awful coworkers, a friend told me: For those who know you, no explanation is necessary. For those who accuse you, no explanation is possible." I never forgot that.
Oh, Michael, you have been through so much. I know how you feel. Our biggest problem when we ask for forgiveness, is that, sometimes, we can’t forgive ourselves. That is the hardest part. How can God forgive a shit like myself?? But he does. In an instant. POOF, done, forgotten. But you have grown. You are a person that your kids, and your wife can be proud of. You ARE worthy. You are growing every day. And God does know the man you are!! And he is the perfect Love!! You are loved and nothing can take that away.
And so Michael- we pray, we ask G-d for help to be stronger, better - and hope he reaches us to help us go forward. But what about those who have had enough? I read a story today-no no a story but a reality- for the person in the story had had enough - a young man in Palestine-lost everything thanks to the leader in Israel who sent bombs to kill - this young man who asked to die - losing his family, losing everything he had except his tent and then lost that to a bomb - leaving him empty inside and begged God to kill him for there was nothing left but pain. He said please let me die- it’s less painful than to live. And I cried and cried and cried. I asked
G-d why- so many like him - good people just trying to survive the horrors of a war they didn’t start- victims of humanity on the brink just asking to die. And this being our holiest day of our new year and all I could say is WHY ??? What have we done that has brought us to this?!
And then silence except for the sound of my tears running down my face.
I know God gave you a clean slate and as a human being , certainly not as importantly as God did, I gave you a clean slate a long time ago just as God would want all of us to do. Enjoy Yom Kippur and know you gave a lot of friends who know how good your heart is.
"And yet, forgiveness is possible. Renewal is possible. A second chance is always possible — if not in the eyes of people, then in the eyes of God." amen.
i've also seen your journey in the spotlight since early days, Michael. rarely today does someone express their own story of redemption even once, but you have the boldness to keep living it out loud, bravely proclaim truth against power. we need your voice.
You’ve come a long way in my opinion - but I only knew you through the media as what they showed you to be years ago. Now I read what you write and I have grown to like you very much. I like the way you think, the journey you’ve taken, the way you write and articulate it, and the person that I think you are today - as told by yourself and not the media or your friends or enemies. I will continue to listen to you and appreciate who I think you are. Thank you for all you are doing
You have earned the trust and respect of many of us. Your voice is valuable
Mirrors my feelings exactly. You, Mr. Cohen, have been through the refiner's fire!
Ditto
svf is a scammer with a fake account. Do not hit the link which is a possible virus. 🦠
Report and block.
I agree completely! Thank you, Michael, for your honesty and vulnerability, in addition to your wealth of knowledge and thoughtful, intelligent insights.
Agreed.
Totally agree
Agree completely.
Thank you for sharing your perspective, others will judge…so we rise above. All of us have sinned and no one is perfect
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Thanks Michael for all you do to stand up for the TRUTH & for Americans!
Forgiveness is a powerful thing. Through God we learn to forgive others, but, at the same time we must learn to forgive ourselves. Thank you for sharing. None of us are perfect.
"None of us [is] perfect." So what? Trump isn't perfect. Are you going to forgive him for his sins?
No, because Donald Trump is not only unrepentant, but delights in his sins and doubles down on them every single day.
A good question. I don't see forgiveness as wiping away consequences, but being open to a better relationship in the future. We pray that will happen, even as we are realistic about the prospects and continue to speak and act for justice in our nation.
That is a very enlightened stance you're taking, and I appreciate you posting it. For me, some things are simply unforgivable, and much of what Trump and his thugs have done and will do fall into that category.
I can't forgive someone who has not repented and changed their evil ways. Trump is a hopeless case. Too bad he didn't get a damn lifetime TV show. In return for our lack of empathy we are now subjected to the horrors of the sleazy orange slime and his project 2025.
To repent..to feel shame and reflect leads to acts of atonement...only then can forgiveness be given. Even to a religious non believer like me that is the case..it is what our legal system is based on. One thing follows the other. Trump was asked about forgiveness and his reply was that he had done nothing to need forgiveness for.
You stood up against the hate and lies when no one else would. Your strength, honesty and how you've changed from those dark days shines through in all the good you continue to do. Their judgements mean nothing, as you are a good man and work for the betterment of our country. All the best to you and your family.
Michael, you are a fantastic writer and I commend you for turning your life around. But I live by a motto you should live by: “What other people think of you is none of your business”. It helps me to ignore real and perceived judgments about me and just be my best self. That is all we can ask of ourselves.
Michael, I agree! Please allow yourself to let go of “suffocating yourself with a bag over your head”. What people think of each of us is only a projection of how they truly, maybe unconsciously, feel about themselves. If you can, please stop taking on other people’s 💩 💩 💩. Extending love to you and your family.
Michael! You ARE a good man and a brilliant writer that adds SO much to the conversation, Meidas+ and beyond. Thanks for being in the here and now, not the past. SHALOM
Long ago when I was struggling under unfounded accusations from some truly awful coworkers, a friend told me: For those who know you, no explanation is necessary. For those who accuse you, no explanation is possible." I never forgot that.
Excellent column - thank you!
Thank you for this wonderful message ❤️
Well said Michael. Wise words learned through your unique experiences. Thanks for sharing.
Oh, Michael, you have been through so much. I know how you feel. Our biggest problem when we ask for forgiveness, is that, sometimes, we can’t forgive ourselves. That is the hardest part. How can God forgive a shit like myself?? But he does. In an instant. POOF, done, forgotten. But you have grown. You are a person that your kids, and your wife can be proud of. You ARE worthy. You are growing every day. And God does know the man you are!! And he is the perfect Love!! You are loved and nothing can take that away.
And so Michael- we pray, we ask G-d for help to be stronger, better - and hope he reaches us to help us go forward. But what about those who have had enough? I read a story today-no no a story but a reality- for the person in the story had had enough - a young man in Palestine-lost everything thanks to the leader in Israel who sent bombs to kill - this young man who asked to die - losing his family, losing everything he had except his tent and then lost that to a bomb - leaving him empty inside and begged God to kill him for there was nothing left but pain. He said please let me die- it’s less painful than to live. And I cried and cried and cried. I asked
G-d why- so many like him - good people just trying to survive the horrors of a war they didn’t start- victims of humanity on the brink just asking to die. And this being our holiest day of our new year and all I could say is WHY ??? What have we done that has brought us to this?!
And then silence except for the sound of my tears running down my face.
Judi Karcher
Amen.
I know God gave you a clean slate and as a human being , certainly not as importantly as God did, I gave you a clean slate a long time ago just as God would want all of us to do. Enjoy Yom Kippur and know you gave a lot of friends who know how good your heart is.
Amen! And thank you for your voice- we need you!
"And yet, forgiveness is possible. Renewal is possible. A second chance is always possible — if not in the eyes of people, then in the eyes of God." amen.
i've also seen your journey in the spotlight since early days, Michael. rarely today does someone express their own story of redemption even once, but you have the boldness to keep living it out loud, bravely proclaim truth against power. we need your voice.
Godspeed. keep going!
Very nice 🫶🏻