The S’lichot service, just days before the new year begins, captures our desire to change and evolve for the better this coming year. As we look behind us to evaluate the year as it is closing; the music of these sacred days serves as an emotional overture; a gateway that invites personal memories as well as the feeling of awe. Let’s sit together in the reflective moments of S’lichot’s approach and sing, hear, and discuss some of the melodies that ensure you are spiritually, physically, and musically prepared for 5781.
We Return based on Lamentations 5:21
music by Elana Arian and Noah Aronson
We return, we return, we return return again.
We return, we return, we return return again, and again...
to love --
to truth --
to You --
What are you returning to this year?
אָבִֽינוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ חָנֵּֽנוּ וַעֲנֵֽנוּ כִּי אֵין בָּֽנוּ מַעֲשִׂים עֲשֵׂה עִמָּֽנוּ צְדָקָה וָחֶֽסֶד וְהוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ:
Avinu Malkeinu
Our Father, Our King! be gracious to us and answer us for we have done nothing to deserve your kindness; deal with us kindly, generously, and deliver us.
Avinu malkeinu, chaneinu va'aneinu, ki ein banu ma'asim.
Asei imanu, tzedakah v'chesed, v'hoshienu
Asei imanu, tzedakah v'chesed, v'hoshienu
Pure Heart: based on Psalm 51:12
words and music by Yoel Sykes & Daphna Rosenberg
Create a pure heart in me, Great Spirit, create a pure heart in me. and renew a true soul within me and renew a true soul within.
Don't Hide Your Face From Me based on Psalm 27:9
Words and Music by Debbie Friedman
Don't hide your face from me, I'm asking for your help.
I call to you; please hear my prayer, Oh God.
If you would answer me, as I have called to you,
please heal me now. Don't hide Your face from me.
Nachamu: Isaiah 40:1
music by Shlomo Carlebach
נַחֲמ֥וּ נַחֲמ֖וּ עַמִּ֑י יֹאמַ֖ר אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃
Nachamu nachamu ami, yomar eloheichem
Comfort, Oh comfort my people, says your God
Hashiveinu/Return Again based on Lamentations 5:21
Hebrew folk song, english lyrics by Shlomo Carlebach
הֲשִׁיבֵ֨נוּ יְהוָ֤ה ׀ אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ וְֽנָשׁ֔וּבָה חַדֵּ֥שׁ יָמֵ֖ינוּ כְּקֶֽדֶם
Hashiveinu, hashiveinu, Adonai eilecha, v'nashuvah, v'nashuvah,
chadeish chadeish, yameinu k'kedem.
Return again, return again, return to the land of your soul.
Return to who you are, return to what you are, return to where you are born and reborn again.
Return again, return again, return to the land of your soul.
Asher Yatzar based on morning liturgy
music by Dan Nichols
Woah....
I thank you for my life, body and soul.
Help me realize I am beautiful and whole.
I'm perfect the way I am ... and a little broken too.
I will live each day as a gift I give to you.
Woah...
Baruch atah Adonai,
refei chol basar u'mafli la'asot.
Blessed are You, Adonai, who heals all flesh, working wondrously.
Yitchazeik: Netivot Shalom on Parashat Sh'mini
translation by Jonathan Slater, music by Benjie Ellen Schiller
Yitchazeik v'yashuv livnot et atzmo (3x)
Yitchazeik, yitchazeik, v'yashuv.
Be strengthened and return by rebuilding yourself.
When I am singing and cannot lift my voice, and another comes and sings with me, another who can lift my voice, both of our voices are lifted. That is the secret of the bond between spirits. -- Hasidic teaching
Tell God
what it is that you can't handle,
what burns inside you, what peace you seek, and thereby open a door
to what you can handle.
What thrives within you and what new story may emerge.
-- Rabbi Miriam Terlinchamp
what it is that you can't handle,
what burns inside you, what peace you seek, and thereby open a door
to what you can handle.
What thrives within you and what new story may emerge.
-- Rabbi Miriam Terlinchamp
It is Never Too Late
The last word has not been spoken.
The last sentence has not been written.
The final verdict is not in.
It is never too late, to change my mind, my direction
to say no to the past, and yes to the future,
to offer remorse, to ask and give forgiveness.
It is never too late to start over again,
to feel again, to love again, to hope again.
It is never too late to overcome despair.
To turn sorrow into resolve and pain into purpose.
-- Rabbi Harold Schulweis
The last word has not been spoken.
The last sentence has not been written.
The final verdict is not in.
It is never too late, to change my mind, my direction
to say no to the past, and yes to the future,
to offer remorse, to ask and give forgiveness.
It is never too late to start over again,
to feel again, to love again, to hope again.
It is never too late to overcome despair.
To turn sorrow into resolve and pain into purpose.
-- Rabbi Harold Schulweis