We are now in the Yamim HaNoraim, the Ten Days of Awe.

 

We are now in the Yamim HaNoraim, the Ten Days of Awe. Below are a few teachings to help us focus on these Days.

“As civilization advances, the sense of wonder declines. Such decline is an alarming symptom of our state of mind. Humankind will not perish for want of information, but only for want of appreciation.” A.J.Heschel

We do a lot of praying on the Yom Tovim.

“Prayer is meaningless unless it is subversive, unless it seeks to overthrow and to ruin the pyramids of callousness, hatred, opportunism and falsehood. The liturgical movement must become a revolutionary movement, seeking to overthrow the forces that continue to destroy the promise, the hope, the vision.”

“Fortunate is the nation that knows the teruah-blast; O God, they will walk in the light of Your countenance.” (Psalms 89:16)

A prayer from Reb Nachman:

Architect of the world,

Author of her story,

Grant me the courage to participate

In the worlds design,

To join in the unfolding

Of her story.

How I want to share

In the responsibility of this world -

To prayer for her welfare,

To care for her needs,

To safeguard her treasures,

To work for her rectification.

(from the Gentle Weapon)

It is strange to wither before clouds of enmity,

while the heart is drawn

to a myriad of worlds.

(Zelda Schneersohn-Mishkovsky)

Teshuvah, T’filah, u-Tzedakah maavirim et roah HaGzerah,

Changing-Turning, Prayerfulness, Righteous Action and Giving avert terrible decrees.

(Musaf Liturgy)

Wishing you a safe, blessed and fulfilling year,

Reb David