Last year, this time I was wondering about the Book of Life.
This year, after a difficult time watching the challenges of people I know and love, I approach the Unetaneh Tokef prayer again. It’s the one that says that on Rosh Hashanah it is written and on Yom Kippur who shall live and who shall die.
It’s the line during these days that haunts my wife the most. Decisions she has said to me over the years, decisions are made as we are all standing on the starting line of the new year.
And this year was more difficult than I can remember since I lost my sister to cancer in 2004.
So I wish for you all the most meaningful of holidays in any way that you connect with a Higher Power.
If the words don’t work in one particular book or place, try another book or place. Or make up your own words.
This year I’m going to try to reach under the heaviness of what bogs me down and find a clearing, a space where I can even attempt to understand what life is about and why I am here and how I can be of service.
But if I offer one prayer to God, please God, please, eliminate the cruelty. Ease the suffering. And for those who have suffered, give them a place to find themselves whole again.