"Compassion, in fact, is the overriding theme of these holidays... [the meaning of sin] is not that human beings are flawed or essentially evil; rather, the Hebrew word for sin, cheyt, means 'missing the mark.' We are like arrows that have been off course, and we can help one another get back on course, knowing that we will need another High Holy Day period next year for more fine-tuning and corrective action. By asking for compassion, we assert that this compassion is one of the most holy aspects of the universe, and that we will help bring more of it into the world."

-- Michael Lerner, Jewish Renewal

I also wrote a journal entry along these lines. A bit more serious than I usually get around here, but why not.