First aliyah: Deut. 29: 9–14
The reading begins: You stand, this day… all of you (from the tribal heads and elders to the children, strangers, wood choppers and water drawers…both those standing here this day and those not standing here —future generations—)…to enter into the covenant.
This is a phrase that adds up to this year, (5)784
וְכל־הָעֵדָה פֶּתַח אֹהֶל־מוֹעֵד
and the whole assembly, at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting
Num. 27:2
This phrase, from parashat Pinchas, comes from the story of the daughters of Tzelafchad. The five daughters stand before Moses, the high priest, the chieftains, and the whole assembly to assert their case for inheriting their deceased father’s land holding. And here we are, standing in our tent of meeting, with a team of daughters, as your leaders today, standing before you.
Our tradition calls us to gather, all of us, at key times in the Jewish calendar. In our contemporary context Yom Kippur persists as the time that many, if not most, Jews, even if they do not otherwise observe synagogue prayer practices, show up, to connect deeply with their own hearts in the presence of other Jews.
I invite all of us to stand to receive a blessing for showing up today, in honor of the continuity of our sacred tradition.
Misheberach: Julia Indichova
May you be blessed with gratitude flowing through you as the best anti-inflammatory remedy, each time you consider the astonishing miracles that have taken place in order for you to be chosen to show up to play the human game.
May you be blessed knowing that there is not now, there never was and there never will be another human being just like you. You and you alone can make a contribution to our human family & earth dwelling family than no one else can. That is why the seed of desire to stay true to your gifts has been planted in you/As an enlivening force. Not a reason to ever start guilt tripping yourself about not doing enough.
May you be blessed with steadfast friends who will mirror what’s possible for you on days when you are not able to see it yourself.
May your hand reach for the perfect book and your gaze land on the perfect line of guidance on days when you doubt that your voice matters.
May you rope off a sacred space each day to ponder what would be the kindest, most pleasing way for you to show up for yourself first and then for everyone who crosses your path and for the tasks at hand.
Getting clear, that your contribution adds to the Power of Good, may you risk asking for what you need, in order to fully honor the value of who you are and what you bring to the cosmic potluck..
Most important: May you be blessed with distinguishing which Netflix shows will leave you intellectually & emotionally empty and the shows that will bolster the bud of the next creation you’re burning to share with the rest of us.
May we all be blessed.
Second aliyah: Deut. 30: 11–14
Surely, this instruction is not too baffling or beyond reach. It is not hidden nor far off…No, the thing is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to observe it
This is a phrase that adds up to this year, (5)784:
יעֳמַד־חַי לִפְנֵי יְהֹוָה לְכַפֵּר עָלָיו
Alive before YHVH to make atonement
Lev. 16:10
This phrase is from the traditional YK reading from parasha Acharei Mot, which describes the ancient ritual of the High Priest entering the Holy of Holies to atone for the transgressions of the people. It includes the word לְכַפֵּר (l’khapair, which shares a root with the name of this holiday, Yom Kippur) which translates as atonement, also pronounced as “At one-ment.” And thus we have a clue to the deeper meaning of the word.
We make atonement for wronging another human being by admitting our mistakes and seeking forgiveness. When that forgiveness is granted, the separation that hurt and resentment have built come down, thus bringing our hearts closer, and we experience our at-one-ment.
The availability of connection with others is not mysterious—it is very close to us, as close as the words of our mouths. We can use these words either for criticism, complaining, or gossip, or we can use them for comfort, praise, and gratitude. We have a choice, in every moment. And the challenge is to approach every situation and relationship with empathy, with an open heart. What better way to support Life Unfolding than to speak to and of other people as we, ourselves, would like to be spoken to? And yet, how elusive this can be!
This aliyah is for anyone who wishes to make at-one-ment a priority in their lives and dedicate themselves to further opening their hearts.
Misheberach: Sara Schestenger
Mishaberach Avoteinu, Abraham, Yizchak, v’Ya’akov, v’Imoteinu: Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel, v’Lei’ah. May the one who blessed our ancestors bless you, who have risen today in honor of Torah, in honor of atonement. May you be blessed with at-one-ment.
What you need to make atonement, is inside of you. Torah teaches that you needn’t go far, not across the sea nor to the heavens, nor to search for something hidden. No, we hear, “the thing is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to observe it.”
May you be blessed with humility to recognize your short-comings, your blocked communications and actions. May your heart be opened, even break open, so you can seek forgiveness. We know we make mistakes, and can be better, act better.
May your heart flow in harmony, to channel the words of your mouth and to make amends. May you be strong and have strength to remove separation of misunderstanding, and to open the flow of communication. May your experience of atonement bring you peace and at-one-ment. May your open heart flow with all of creation.
and let us say, Amen.
Third aliyah: Deut. 30: 15–20
See, I have set before you life and prosperity, death and adversity. Choose life.
This is a phrase that adds up to this year, (5)784:
זֹאת עֲשׂוּ
Do this
Num. 16:6
This phrase also amplifies our theme for these High Holy Days, Aleinu. Here is selection from an interpretive translation by Rabbi Rami Shapiro:
Aleinu
it is up to us
to hallow Creation,
to respond to Life
with the fullness of our lives.
It is up to us
to meet the World,
to embrace the Whole
even as we wrestle with its parts.
It is up to us
to repair the World
and to bind our lives to Truth.
—Rami Shapiro
This aliyah is for those who wish to affirm their dedication to choosing life, to meeting the challenges of coming year with the fullness of themselves.