Who By Fire

One of the most poignant piyyutim or liturgical poems in the Machzor for the High Holidays is Unetaneh Tokef. The prayer evokes the image of God sitting on a throne as we each pass under God’s watchful eye like sheep passing before the shepherd. At God’s side are the books of Life and Death. Our prayer this season is that each of us will be inscribed in the Book of Life you’re the year to come.

As we gather for Yom Kippur this week, may our personal and collective prayers stir us to atonement. May we start 5784 with a clean slate, open to all that the year may bring us.

I hope the video below can help get us in the proper mindset for the task at hand during the twenty-five hours of Yom Kippur. It is a Leonard Cohen singing his interpretation of Unetaneh Tokef.

Gmar Chatimah Tova, May you be inscribed in the book of life for the year to come.

Rabbi Bradley Tecktiel