180 - Rosh Hashanah

In 1993, I wrote my first psalm for Rosh Hashanah, and since 1995, my High Holy Day psalms have been included in the liturgy at my own synagogue, Beth Emet The Free Synagogue, and elsewhere. This is an honor and a daunting task. Some years, the words have come easily: the themes of the Days of Awe are rich with poetic possibilities. The psalm I wrote the year my daughter started college reflects the beginning of not only the New Year but of a new stage in our lives. The next year, I wrote the psalm that opened worship on Kol Nidre from my bed in the Intensive Care unit, and the words held the taste of my health struggle.

Here is this year’s psalm for Rosh Hashanah. With it, I send my wishes: L’shana tovah u’metuchah ­ a good and sweet year.

One Hundred Eighty

Rosh Hashanah

We wait in new moon darkness,
We wait for Your first eyeblink;
Fill us with the year’s new light,
Sparks of divine vision.

We wait as in the world before,
We wait with longing;
Fashion the sacred flame
That we might begin again.

Help us as we light new brands,
Nurture the transforming fire;
Hallow the mending flames we kindle,
Burning clean the broken places.

This year, You offer bright chances,
You renew us continuously;
This year we partner Your creation,
Shining, resplendent.

We wait for Your first eyeblink:
Prepare us to be new;
Empty us of shadows,
Fill us with light.