Vehu Rachum – Ask the Rabbi
Q. Why does Ma’ariv begin Vehu Rachum, asking God to forgive our sins?
A. A source in the Midrash says that the destructive forces in the universe become active after nightfall. Vehu Rachum may therefore be our way of asking God to forgive our sins and protect us against the evil forces.
A more rational explanation is that we all make mistakes during the course of the day and we begin Ma’ariv by asking God to forgive us and enable us to close the day in peace.
