NUM15 Painful and embarrassing as it might be, we should confess our sins aloud (though not necessarily in the presence of others). (Maimonides, "Laws of Repentance" 1:1), basing himself on Numbers 5:6-7. The purpose of this confession is to shock us into righting the wrong we have done. If others are present, we are more likely to try to downplay or rationalize our wrongful behavior. It is usually easier to be honest with ourselves, and about ourselves, when we are alone.] By admitting a sin out loud (instead of just mentally acknowledging a wrong we have committed), we will be less likely to try and rationalize it. Also, we are more likely to be horrified by what we have done, and motivated to atone.