My game is a take on the Jewish concept of teshuvah – which can be translated as “return” or “repentance.” It’s an important concept for this time of year because in the Jewish calendar we are now in the Days of Awe – the weeks leading up to the most important holidays of the year in Rosh Hashanah (the new year) and ten days later Yom Kipur (the Day of Atonement).

The time between these two holidays is considered the holiest part of the year in Judaism. Literally, they are the days when gates of heaven are open. It is your chance to do teshuvah, to return yourself from your misdeeds of the past year, and doing so ensures another year in the book of life.

I like the concept of teshuvah for the theme of “You are the Monster” because teshuvah is about forgiveness. It is about not being a moster. Forgiving yourself for being human. In fact, the most important prayer of the year, Kol Nidre, specifically absolves us of and repents for all vows and transgressions made for the coming year! Before we’ve even done them!

So as for the game itself, I want to hit at that feeling of being absolved. Of forgiveness. After a year of sins, bad deeds, broken promises, to be redeemed.

This time of year in Judaism is structured to lead up to that feeling. The weeks leading up to it go something like

• Recognize our imperfection, our brokenheartedness, our unpreparedness.
• Reflect and see ourselves for what we are. Acknowledge the emptiness.
• The gates of heaven open.
• We perform teshuvah and are forgiven.

This progression works really well for ritual (and if you’ve read this far, I really encourage This is Real and You are Completely Unprepared by Rabbi Alan Lew). Can it work in a game? I really want to try.