We have written about the fact that maybe it is time–especially in these times–to recite a litany of blessings during Yom KIppur. This piece came from one of our followers and we invite you focus this Yom Kippur on our blessings as well as sins. The time is right for this. Take some time to recite your own.
A NEW PRAYER THAT MAY BE SAID IN ADDITION TO THE AL CHET
compiled by Leonard H. Berman
• For the joy of being part of a religion that honors life and human dignity,
And for the joy of being part of a religion that gave the world its vision of peace and harmony.
• For the joy of being part of a religion that teaches us that all are equal before the law,
And for the joy of being part of a religion that insists on everyone being educated.
• For the Joy of being part of a religion that sees the family as the foundation of a stable society,
And for the joy of being part of a religion that requires us to be socially responsible.
For living all these joys, inscribe us in the Book of Life and grant us atonement.
• For the joy of being part of a religion that fills us with moral passion and asks us to hate evil,
And for the joy of being part of a religion whose objective is to mend the world.
• For the joy of being part of a religion that invites us to be preoccupied with our actions,
And for the joy of being part of a religion that expects us to critique ourselves in order to become better.
• For the joy of being part of a religion that asks us to model correct behavior for others,
And for the joy of being part of a religion that structures our time through celebrations and rituals.
For living all these joys, inscribe us in the Book of Life and grant us atonement.
• For the joy of being part of a religion that gave the world the concept of holiness,
And for the joy of being part of a religion that asks us to be a light unto the nations.
• For the joy of being part of a religion that invites us to struggle with God,
And for the joy of being part of a religion that insists that I be grateful.
• For the joy of being part of a religion that inculcates self control,
And for the joy of being part of a religion that gives me a community and distinctiveness.
For living all these joys, inscribe us in the Book of Life and grant us atonement.
• For the joy of being part of a religion that provides me with a pathway to the transcendent,
And for the joy of being part of a religion that insists that I use my intellect.
• For the joy of being part of a religion that insists that I focus on this world and not on the next,
And for the joy of being part of a religion that provides me with sacred time each week where I can refocus, replenish my resources, and rejoice in living.
• For the joy of being part of a religion that inculcates feelings of justifiable pride in our people’s accomplishments,
And for the joy of being part of a religion that teaches that correct behavior, not correct faith is what God desires of us.
FOR LIVING ALL THESE BLESSINGS, GRANT US PEACE AND ATONEMENT.
Rabbi Richard F. Address, D.Min, is the Founder and Director of www.jewishsacredaging.com. Rabbi Address served for over three decades on staff of the Union for Reform Judaism; first as a Regional Director and then, beginning in 1997, as Founder and Director of the URJ’s Department of Jewish Family Concerns and served as a specialist and consultant for the North American Reform Movement in the areas of family related programming. Rabbi Address was ordained from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1972 and began his rabbinic career in Los Angeles congregations. He also served as a part time rabbi for Beth Hillel in Carmel, NJ while regional director and, after his URJ tenure, served as senior rabbi of Congregation M’kor Shalom in Cherry Hill, NJ from 2011-2014.
Rabbi Richard F. Address, D.Min, is the Founder and Director of www.jewishsacredaging.com. Rabbi Address served for over three decades on staff of the Union for Reform Judaism; first as a Regional Director and then, beginning in 1997, as Founder and Director of the URJ’s Department of Jewish Family Concerns and served as a specialist and consultant for the North American Reform Movement in the areas of family related programming. Rabbi Address was ordained from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1972 and began his rabbinic career in Los Angeles congregations. He also served as a part time rabbi for Beth Hillel in Carmel, NJ while regional director and, after his URJ tenure, served as senior rabbi of Congregation M’kor Shalom in Cherry Hill, NJ from 2011-2014.
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