Solace in song

The Jewish High Holidays approach. Each year they come at their appointed time, a time determined thousands of years ago. A time honored and celebrated by generations of Jews.

This is a challenging year in so many ways. Not personally, thus far; the evil ones haven’t yet unleashed their fury on my loved ones or myself. But who’s to say? And what to do when those who crave power and fortune hurl their volley of lies and hatred anywhere? What to do when evil comes from the ranks of my own people?

The High Holidays are a time of reckoning, recounting, recollecting, projecting, beseeching, asking forgiveness, and forgiving. They humanize us as we stand under the unrelenting light of the ineffable force of creation.

There is where I seek solace, and find it refracted in the ancient poems of my people.

I wish you every blessing, and pray that we—as a people, a nation, a country, a world—all do our share to transmit the blessing of life, humanity, compassion, and peace to all who suffer.

May the tyrants spit into the wind and grow humble. May those who scorn justice stand before the judge. May those who glorify death and destruction find themselves alone in the wilderness.

May YOU have a blessed New Year.

Meanwhile… let me share with you another ancient spiritual poem of my people, a beautiful, fitting song for season. Watch here (be sure to listen at 4:20, when the singer unleashes his talent!). See the Hebrew lyrics and English translation here.

And here’s another piyyut (spiritual poem) that I find tremendously comforting. I especially love the line (in translation): “Merciful God, the spark of my salvation, forgive my transgressions.” יָהּ אֵל רַחֲמָן צוּר מוֹשִׁיעִי. חֶטְאִי סְלַח לִי Note that the Hebrew word for sin or transgression (“חֶטְאִ”) comes from archery and means to miss the mark.