6 Elul 5784

Rabbi Nicole Roberts

North Shore Temple Emanuel

Elul heartbreak

I’m sorry there hasn’t been much space in my heart

For pain beyond my own

This past year.

Our liturgies and teachings were not meant for times

When loving our neighbour

Is easy;

When raising the ox of our enemy is safe;

When God already makes

Peace on us.

Al cheit she’chatanu l’fanecha, HaShem… [1]

Sound the great shofar.

Free my heart!

All our blood

Is red, none redder, but

Our eyes see only in black and white nowadays.

I need You.

Replace my heart of stone;

Open its stiff valves, and my ears, to Hagar’s cry

Before I turn

Away from her again.

She weeps for a son too young to know right from wrong.

Abraham

Was his father too, we’re told.

Let broken hearts turn us into brothers again.

[1] For the sin we have committed before you, O God