10 Elul 5784

Rabbi Frankie (Franklyn) Salzman

Beit Shalom Synagogue

From me to God
During the month of Elul, Jewish tradition includes additional, special penitential prayers and poems known collectively as Selichot. The word selichot specifically translates to “forgivings”. These prayers offer an opportunity for something deeper. During our increasingly busy days, they invite us to carve out moments to prepare ourselves for the upcoming Days of Awe.

For me the month of Elul and its selichot prayers are a time for reflection, and also for questioning. Elul is a gift of time to ask myself, “What do I hope to gain from the process of reflection”, to ask the gruelling question, “What have I done wrong? and also to ask, “What have I done right this past year?”

This year and every year, let’s not to forget the good in our worlds when we pray our selichot prayers to God while wrestling with liturgy that reminds us of the struggles.I wrote and have used this poem as part of my personal selichot practice these past few years. May it help us find meaning in your reflections during these precious days of preparation.

Dear God,
Who will You be for me today?

Are You the Dayan mi Kotev v’Chotem?
The judge who inscribes and seals?

Are You the t’kiah?
The booming voice of the shofar?

Or are You the Kol D’mamah Dakah,
the still small voice on the mountain?

Are You near or far,
worrying or hoping,
listening or doing?

God,
I address this to You,
but in truth,
I should address this to myself.

In truth,
You are all of the above.

You are judge and jury,
strong and soft,
present and patient.

You are God.

But in truth,
who am I?

Am I brave or ashamed?
Confident or quiet?

In this year ahead,
do I strive to make You proud?

If in this year ahead,
I only made myself proud,
would that be enough?

With gratitude,
Me