Reflecting Your Light

September 24-26, 2014 / 1 Tishrei 5775

Rosh Hashana

“Reflecting Your Light”

Dear Friends,

As we prepare to begin a New Year, I share this prayer by Ruth Brin, of blessed memory.  May the New Year bring us renewal, inspiration, growth, and learning.  May the New Year bring us health, happiness, and prosperity.  May the New Year bring us closer to God and performance of righteous compassionate deeds.

Footnote to a Rosh Hashana Prayer

by Ruth Brin z”l

Like the rays of the late afternoon sun,

Slanting through the trees, shining on each separate leaf,

You shine on us, our God,

And like the leaves we reflect Your light.

I Thank You with all my heart

For the presence of Your spirit, which is life.

I pray You not to withdraw from me,

I pray You not to depart from me, though I am unworthy,

I pray You let me pray to You.

How can I love You, who are so far away?

How can I know You, whose face I have not seen?

How can I approach You, when I am laden with guilt?

I can love some of Your creatures, and so love something of You.

I can know some of Your world, and so know something of You.

I can approach You with repentance and prayer and righteous deeds,

But I can do none of these, my God, without Your help.

Help me to love You and know You and pray to You

That this my existence may become a life,

A life that like a leaf in the afternoon sun

Reflects Your great and golden light.

L’Shana Tova – Wishing everyone a good New Year,

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow