May we be inscribed in the book life and blessing - High holy day liturgy We recite these words a few times during services on the High Holy days. They remind us that with every new year, one book closes and another opens. This evening,
“May we be inscribed in the book life and blessing…”
- High holy day liturgy
We recite these words a few times during services on the High Holy days. They remind us that with every new year, one book closes and another opens. This evening, as we say goodbye to 5777, we close the book on whatever discomfort we felt as well as the blessings we received in 5777. At the same time, we open the book “5778.” Its cover is empty. Its pages are blank. Its story is yet untold. Will it be a year of joy and simchah? Or will it be a year filled with sadness and strife?
While some chapters in this book will be decided by others, the bulk of the book is decided by us. This challenges us at the beginning of the year to make kind and compassionate choices. It drives us to fight against the injustices of the world. It calls upon us to do what is right. Who wants to look back on a book that is filled with ignorance and indiscretion? Rather, we should fill our books with love and joy.
The New Year is a wonderful opportunity for us to start anew and begin again, letting go of where we have missed the mark. I truly hope that each of us inscribes in our own books actions that make this world a better place. And as each of us fills this world with g’miloot chasadim (acts of loving kindness), may God seal our books with meaning and blessing.
