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As Kol Nidre Approaches

In my handful of Jewish years,
 
As Kol Nidre approaches
 
At the tail end
 
Of this horrific year,
 
A year of brokenness and loss,
 
Of tearing that feels beyond repair,
 
Of trauma igniting trauma,
 
Of harsh words,

 

And targeted offense
 
And radical defense,
 
Of not knowing who is the offender,
 
Or who is the offended,
 
Or who has caused the offense,
 
Who carries it,
 
And who will, finally,
 
Lay it all down.
 
 
When our mortal bodies
 
Sense their mortality
 
And our souls ache toward 
 
All Infinity
 
We stand between the worlds;
 
Between the realms.
 
 
We cry out that we are trying our best,
 
Even as we weep
 
Knowing not everything will be mended.
 
 
What else can we do
 
Expect hold to the promise
 
That we will be met
 
Beyond the gates,
 
In the field,
 
By love?
 
 
God does for us,
 
What we cannot do for ourselves.
 
 
God forgives us
 
In order that we are able to return
 
To the work,
 
The service,
 
And the praise,
 
In the knowledge that 
 
While we are finite,
 
It is the goodness
 
Our lives can add
 
To the Goodness that will
 
Ultimately prevail.

 

 

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