D'var Torah

This Saturday evening, we will observe the ancient custom of S’lichot.  S’lichot refers to two related types of penitential prayers.  The first are the prayers that are customarily recited during the morning service of the entire month that precedes Rosh Hashanah, which is the month of Elul.  The second is the name of the service that takes place late at night on the Saturday that is more that three days before Rosh Hashanah.  During this service, the worshippers hear snippets of the liturgy of both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. In listening to these prayers and songs, we are reminded of the work we have to do in order to prepare ourselves for the High Holy Days. We cannot reflect on an entire past year and envision the new one ahead in just one day. We cannot consider teshuvah, change, and repentance and atonement during only one service. If we are serious about these themes, we have to begin to address them now. The service of Selichot has just that goal.

This year, our evening will begin with a short film on the theme of forgiveness followed by small group discussions around our own thoughts and experiences about forgiving others. This will be followed by a dessert reception at 9pm.  At 9:30 we will gather for the traditional S’lichot service including highlights of the music and liturgy of the Yamim Nora'im. One of my favorite parts of this service is the ritual of changing the Torah covers from those we use all year, which are bright and colorful, to those we use only the High Holy Days, all of which are white. This uplifting worship experience, which ends with the sounding of the shofar, will feature new and old melodies paired with text that will inspire us towards "t'shuvah," or turning.

On behalf of all of the clergy, we wish you a fulfilling week as you prepare for the New Year. 

Shana Tova and Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Amy Schwartzman