278 - Selichot

Rabbi Allison Bergman-Vann of Temple Beth-El in San Antonio, Texas responded to this year’s psalm for Rosh Hashanah with a request: “Would you consider writing a psalm on Selichot?” Sometimes all it takes is for someone to ask.

Two Hundred Seventy-Eight

Selichot

The night darkens as I come to You, Holy One.
In Your mercy, You leave a moon’s sliver;
It guides me to You, to Your people.
Let me come with them to Your presence.

If I pound my breast in sorrow and guilt,
It does not relieve me. It is a vain gesture.
Only my pale imitation of Your compassion
Begins to unravel the knot of my failings.

Help me start the contemplation of my days,
I must heal myself if I am to heal the world;
Transform me as I search inwardly,
Turn me outward to merit Your kindness.