For those about to pray: We salute you!
Happy 5785. Right?
Happy New Year, 5785. L’Shunah Tovah.
I’m preparing, as I have for the past 24 years, to lead High Holiday services. The other day my daughter asked me, “So what is it like, what do you do to get ready, seeing as you’ve been doing this so long?”
I told her that at this point, 95% of my preparation is about creating space just to be present, and I so spend a lot of time thinking, writing, walking, singing, and warming up. It’s a different kind of preparation than trying to remember what tune goes with which ‘half-kaddish’.
I’m happy to share two parts of my prep, one a poem and the other a playlist, encompassing much of the music that will be offered at our musical services this year.
The link to the playlist is in the poem. (Very sneaky, sis.)
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So.
Jewish New Year is coming. 5785
Rushushunuh.
And?
What are we doing? Seriously: What. Are. We. Doing?
What is the “nature of our prayer” today?
Our world is such a holy f&%&$& mess.
(Hey, finally: Something we can all agree on!)
Prayer?
Guilt, maybe.
Inertia.
It’s what we do.
But then really, don’t bother.
You’ve taken the time off work.
Do anything. Is anyone asking for your “proof of Shul” attendance slip (I hope not!)
Go! Go to a park. Take a long drive, (unless you’re driving an electric vehicle, then make it a short drive)
Hike. Bike. Write. Paint.
Talk to an old friend.
Eat a good meal and savor it. (Just you know, maybe not ON Yom Kippur…)
Listen to a piece of music, start to finish. (Something you love. Something that moves you.)
Better: Listen to this mixtape, er, playlist I made of tunes for the Holy Days.
Oh: but please before any of it: Put your phone away. You know what? Turn the $*#$^#!! thing off. Ahh.
(If someone needs you, they’ll find you.)
But if you’ve already decided, “I’m going to Shul.”
Or maybe, “I said, ‘Get in the car’!!” or whatever.
Then for that hour or two…
Be present.
I mean, what do you have to lose?
Sing along. Grab a drum. Sway. Move.
Get out of your chair when everyone is sitting.
Sit when everyone is standing.
No. One. Cares.
You are free! So be free!
Listen to the sermon.
Go out into the woods for a few minutes. Or for an hour.
Take a deep breath.
Come back in.
Open the book. (The one with the prayers and the words)
Close the book. Make up your own words.
Do not turn to the page the Rabbi says to turn to.
Pick a different page, find a phrase, a word.
See where it takes you.
Find someone you don’t know and introduce yourself.
Find someone you do know and reintroduce yourself.
Stare out the window and let your mind wander.
And when you hear the shofar. (First two days, around 10:45 am)
Really
listen.