Again, still, I stand before you
Again, still, I expect no response
Yet, as day ends
Rays of the light of forgiveness created before I was
Rays of the light of forgiveness created before I was
Surround me.
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I cannot hide
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I lift up my face toward the light with expectation
Knowing that nothing that was done can be undone
Yet also knowing that the miracle of atonement exists even for me, a poor sinner
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And for you
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I tilt my face toward the sound of music
And the sound of mumbling.
We are all sinners, asking for the miracle of atonement
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Year after year we make vows
Year after year we fall short
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Year after year the music infuses us with hope
Knowing that sins from the previous day of atonement cannot be erased
Yet hoping
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Standing before you and the whole congregation
I vow that from this day of atonement to the next I will not repeat the same mistakes.
That these past mistakes, not repeated, shall be as stepping stones to You.
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That these past mistakes, not repeated, shall be as stepping stones to You.
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I lift up my face toward the light with expectation
I am bathed in the light of repentance
Like from a mikveh I emerge,Â
Not new bornÂ
But clean
Not new bornÂ
But clean
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Ready
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Shehekheyatnu
Ve’kiyamatnu
Ve’higiatnu
La’zeman Hazeh
