Prayer supplement for High Holy Days at Temple Beth Sholom, 1974

HIGH HOLY DAYS PRAYER SUPPLEMENT TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM Las Vegas, Nevada 5735 - 1974 1. PRAYER There cannot be a more glorious object in Creation than a human being replete with benevolence, meditating in what manner he may rendor himself most acceptable to the Creator by doing good to His creatures. Henry Fielding More things are wrought by prayer Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, Let thy voice ride like a fountain night and day For what are men better than sheep or goats that nourish a blind life within the brain If knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer, both for themselves and those who call them friend? Alfred L. Tennyson All things work together to those who love the Lord . . . Tis a strange world, indeed, but there is a manifest God for those who care to look for Him. Robert Louis Stevenson Personally, I never pass four hours with-out prayer. I pray regularly every morning and evening. What do I pray for? Strength. I realize that of myself I have not the strength to resist evil. God surrounds and upholds us. We are in Him. Victor Hugo MEN AND THEIR FAITH I have no friends, but I well know that God is nearer to me. I converse with Him without fear . . . Ludwig Beethoven I know there is a God and that He hates injustice and slavery. I see the storm coming and I know that His hand is in it. Abraham Lincoln Never did there exist a full faith in the Divine Word which did not expand the mind as it purified the heart. Samuel Taylor Coleridge All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen. Ralph Waldo Emerson Faith is the force of life. Leo Tolstoy Not all the subtleties of metaphysics can make me doubt the immortality of the soul . I believe it . . . and I will defend it to my last breath. Rousseau If God be my friend, I cannot be wrteched. Ovid I firmly believe in divine Providence. Without belief in providence I think I should go crazy. Without God, the world would be a maze without a clue. Woodrow Wilson Life is real I Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal; Dust thou art, to dust returnest, Was not spoken of the Soul. Long f e1low Religion is the first thing and the last thing, and until a man has found God, and been found by God, he begins at no begin-ning and works to no end. H. G. Wells I believe in God and trust in His wisdom and benevolence. John Adams A conscience void of offence before God and man is an inheritance for eternity. Daniel Webster The best way to love God is to love many things. Vincent Van Gogh God is our only refuge and our strength. Let us humble ourselves before Him. Robert E. Lee God brings men into deep waters, not to drown them, but to cleanse them. John Aughey I believe that man will not merely endure, he will prevail. He is immortal ? ? ? he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance. William Faulkner FAITH Why should I wish to see God better than this day? I see something of God each hour of the twenty-four, and each moment then; In the faces of men and women I see God, and in my own face in the glass, I find letters from God dropt in the street, and every one is sign'd by God's name, And I leave them where they are, for I know that wheresoever I go, Others will come forever and ever. Service of the Heart Long ago, our forefathers came to believe that they were a people appointed to be God's witnesses before men. When all the world was blinded by idolatry and the worship of many gods, they alone realized that one God rules the whole universe, and that He demands righteousness of all His creatures. They therefore felt called to proclaim their faith to all men. S.0.H. Every man has his faith, whether he recognizes it or not; the beliefs which a man really holds, are not necessarily those he affirms with his mouth but those that are operative in his life. The real decision is not between faith and no-faith but between faith in some false absolute, in some man-made idol?the construction of our hands or heart or mind-- and faith in the true Absolute, in the transcendent God. This is a decision that wrenches man's whole being. For it means a decision once and for all to aban-don all efforts to find the center of exist-ence within one's own self, a decision to commit oneself to God without qualification or reservation. S .O.H. In man's upward climb, he has often stumbled. Today it seems he may dash himself upon the rocks below. But dimly we have seen a vision: fitfully we have felt a presence; and faintly heard a voice not ours. The blazing stars, particles too small to see, the mind reaching out, the smile of children, the eyes of lovers, melody filling the soul, a flood of joy suprising the heart, a helping hand, the apprehension of mystery at the core of the plainest things -- all these tell us that we are not alone. They reveal to us God, the vision that steadies and sustains us. That life is both fleeting and uncertain is a truth that presses upon the mind with special force as the old year ends and the new begins. Time speeds on, and we go with it, and though we have seen the old year close, we can never be sure of seeing the end of the new. We are utterly in God's hands. And so we are led to turn our thoughts to Him, to remember that He has given us our lives in trust, to use in His service. But since life is so fleeting and frail, we must begin this serious use of it at once, and begin it by entering upon the task of self-examination and self-ennoblement which is its essential preliminary. Service of the Hear t 0 Lord, make your presence felt among us. Give us courage to live in accordance with Your will, even when shadows fall upon us. When our own weaknesses, and the storms of life, hide You from our sight, take us by the hand, and teach us that You are near to us at all times. S.0.H. THE NATION AND GOD Surely this great nation is a wise and under-standing people. For what great nation is there, that hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is whensoever we caip. upon Him? And what great nation is there, that hath stat-utes and ordinances so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul dili-gently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes saw, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but make them known unto thy children and thy children's children: Deuteronomy 4:7-9 God of our fathers, teach us to be worthy of the name of Jew. May no act of ours disgrace it. May all that we do redound to the honor of our faith and to Your Glory, 0 God. Give us an understanding heart, so that we may feel how solemn is our responsibility as members of the Jewish people. Grant guidance and strength to the whole house of Israel, so that, inspired by our common faith and united by our common task, we may serve our fellowmen in Your name, and bring enlightenment and blessing to all the families of the earth. Service of the Heart The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that discards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained. George Washington And I tell you the good in man will win, Over all his wickedness, over all the wrongs he has done. He will look at the pages of written history, and be amazed, and then he will laugh and sing. And the good that is in man, children in their cradles, will have won. Here I stand, the Jew, marked by history, for who can count how long? Wrapped in compassion as in a Tallith, staring every storm in the face. Write songs of pain, sing prayers of tor-ment, refresh yourself with suffering. Too much for one people, small and weak - It is enough to share out among the whole human race. S.O.H. Lord God of test tube and blueprint, Who jointed molecules of dust and shook them till their name was Adam, Who taught worms and stars how they could live together, Measure out new liberties so none shall suffer from his father's colour or the credo of his choice; Post proofs that brotherhood is not so wild a dream as those who profit by postponing it pretend: Convoy the hopes of little people through expected straits, And press out the final seal, a sign that peace will come for longer than posteri ties can see ahead, That man unto his fellow man shall be a f r iend for ever. On a Note of Triumph 10. NOW IS THE TIME FOR TURNING To everything there is a season, And there is an appointed time for 'every purpose under heaven. Now is the time for turning. But, for us turning does not come easily. It takes an act of will It means breaking with old habits. It means admitting that we have been wrong; And this is never easy. It means losing face; It means starting all over again; And this is always painful. It means saying "I am sorry" It means admitting that we have the ability to change; And this is always embarrassing. These things are terribly hard to do. But unless we turn, we will be trapped f or ever In yesterday's ways. Lord, help us turn -- From callousness to sensitivity, From hostility to love, From pettiness to purpose, From envy to contentment, From carelessness to discipline, From fear to faith. Turn us around, 0 Lord, and bring us back towards You. And turn us towards each other, Lord. For in isolation there is no life. 11 . WHEN WE BEGIN A NEW YEAR When we really begin a new year, it is decided And when we actually repent, it is determined; Who shall be truly alive, And who shall merely exist; Who shall be happy, And who shall be miserable; Who shall attain fulfillment in his days, And who shall not attain fulfillment in his days; Who shall be tormented by the fire of ambition And whose hopes shall be quenched by the waters of failure; Who shall be pierced by the sharp sword of envy, And who shall be torn by the wild beast of resentment; Who shall hunger for companionship, And who shall thirst for approval; Who shall be shattered by the earthquake of social change, And who shall be plagued by the pressures of conformity; Who shall be strangled by insecurity, And who shall be beaten into submission; Who shall be content with his lot, And who shall go wandering in search of satisfaction; Who shall be serene, And who shall be distraught; Who shall be at ease, And who shall be afflicted with anxiety; Who shall be poor in his own eyes, And who shall be rich in tranquility; Who shall be brought low with futility, And who shall become exalted through achievement; But Teshuvah, Tefillah and Tzedakah, Have the power to change The character of our lives, Therefore let us repent, pray and do right, So that this may be a genuinely new year of life. 12 . TODAY IS THE WORLD'S BIRTHDAY On this day, which is "the birthday of the world," let us affirm our faith in the Creation. We declare that the world is a good world, that it was made by God, and that it has been entrusted to man. When we look around us, we see order, beauty and harmony. We marvel at a universe so precisely made that man can culculate just where the moon will be at a specific moment, and just how fast a rocket must travel in order to reach it. When we journey forth a quarter of a million miles into space, we begin to com-prehend the vastness and complexity of Creation. We realize that there is a Creator and we recognize that we are creatures. We know that we stand midway between the animal and the divine. We pray that we may be wise enough to comprehend the workings of our world, brave enough to reach out beyond it, and humble enough to accept God's authority within it. B'ROSH HASHANA Lord in heaven, I do not want these prayers that I have said today to be in vain. I do not want the feelings I have in my heart to fade away after the holidays I want my Judaism to be part of my life All during this coming year. Help me, 0 God, to keep these resolves. When I forget, forgive me. When I falter, remind me. When I weaken, correct me. Be with me in my efforts. WE ARE CLAY 13. We are clay You are the potter Who shapes us at his will. Mold us into worthy vessels Even though we're only clay. Do not smash us if we prove imperfect, -- Remember we are only clay. We are glass You are the craftsman Who can blow us into many shapes. Form us into finest crystal Even if You have to twist and turn us. But do not smash us if we are not pure, -- Remember we are only glass. We are silver You are the smith Who molds us as he wishes. Hammer us as You design Even though we are not gold. Do not smash us if we tarnish, -- Remember we are only silver. We are the rudder You are the helmsman Who steers us to the left or to the right. Direct us to the shore You choose. Do not let us idly spin Even if we constantly resist Your grasp, -- Remember that the waves are very strong. We are threads. You are the weaver Who creates the patterns that he likes. Weave us, God, into Your plan. Make us supple, straight, and true, And do not throw us in a heap If we should not be perfect, -- Remember we are only threads. 14 . MEDITATION We pray to You, 0 God, For strength, determination, and will power, To d_o instead of just to pray To become instead of merely to wish. 0 Lord, we love this country. And because we love it, We pray for the courage to quarrel with it, As did the prophets of old, And as do the men of conscience today. Let us be counted among those Who are not satisfied with the status quo -- But who yearn and work for a better world. May we bring into this world, A bit more truth, a bit more justice, A bit more love Than there would have been, If we had not loved the world enough To quarrel with it -- Out of a vision of what it ought to be. May our prayers and our deeds be pleasing to You, 0 Lord, Whose lover's quarrel with the world Is the history of mankind. THE SOUND OF THE SHOFAR May the sound of the Shofar recall the moment When we stood at Mount Sinai and uttered the promise: "All that the Lord has spoken, we will keep and obey." May the sound of the Shofar awaken us to the flight of time, And summon us to spend our days with purpose. May the sound of the Shofar become our jubi-lant should of joy On the Day of the promised, long-awaited redemption. 15 . A NEW AL HET For the sin which we have committed before You by not working for peace, And for the sin which we have committed before You by ignoring the plight of the poor . And for the sin which we have committed before You by not respecting the image of God within each human being. For the sin which we have committed before You by lowering our moral standards. For all these sins, God of forgiveness, forgive us, pardon us, and grant us atone-ment . For the sin which we have committed before You by keeping silent in the face of evil. And for the sin which we have committed against You by gossip. For the sin which we have committed before You by neglecting our parents, And for the sin which we have committed before You by indulging our children. For the sin which we have committed before You by conforming And for the sin which we have committed before You by chasing after honors, and by envy . For all of these sins, 0 god of forgiveness forgive us, pardon us, grant us atonement. I'M SORRY I m sorry for offending people and then being hurt that they're offended and not caring or hoping quite enough to go and say "I'm sorry" I'm sorry for forgetting the kind things and remembering the cruel things I'm sorry for holding grudges and hugging bitterness I? m sorry for being angry at tlhe wrong time and not at the right time I'm sorry for neglecting my friend who needs affection I'm sorry for not consulting my colleague who needs respect I'm sorry for being sarcastic to my wife who needs understanding I'm sorry for being critical of my child who needs appreciation I'm sorry for being sorry for myself who needs love. 17 . I-KOL NIDREI Kol Nid-rei V'esorei Va-ha-ro-mei V-ko-no-mei V'ki-nu-yei V'ki-nu-sei U'shvu-os. D'in-dar-no U ' D'ish-1a-ba-no U ' D ' ach-ar-im-no U'D'as-ar-no A1 Naf-sha-so-no. Mi-Yom Kippur-im Zeh Ad Yom Kippur-im. Habo Oleinu L'tovoh. Kul-hon I-char-at-no vhon kul-hon Y'hon shoron Shvi-kin shvi-sin B'tei-lin. U'mvu-1o-1 in. Lo-shri-rin Vlo Kay-om-in. Nid-ro-no Lo Nid-rei. V'es-o-ro-no Lo Es-o-rei. U'shvu-o-so-no Lo Shvu-os. II-ON MIGHTY WINGS On mighty wings, rush swiftly by, the hours, the days, the year. We cannot check, how'e'er we try, the flight of time's career; A fleeting shadow is our life, 'tis as a passing dream, It's labors seem but empty strife, its aims a flash, a g1earn. We cannot hide our trespasses, cannot our deed rescind: With humble hearts we must confess: "Our Father, we have sinned.'" 0 God, thy pardon, we implore, thou knowst we are frail : Refresh us from Thy mercy's store, uplift us when we fail. III-OVINU MALKAYNU O-vi-nu malkay-nu chonaynu va'anaynu Ovinu malkeinu chonaynu vanenu Ovinu malkeinu chonaynu vanenu Ki ein banu maasim Aseh Imanu tzedaka vacheseu Aseh Imanu tzedaka vacheseu Veho sh i enu 18. I-Z OCHREINU Zo-chrei-nu Le-cha-yim Me-lech Cho-feitz Ba- Cha-yim V'cho-svei ' nu B ' sei-fer Ha'cha-yim L'ma-an-cho E-lo-him Cha-yim. II-MECHALKEIL Mechalkel-Ha-yeem Be-chesed. Me-ha-yeh Mayseem Be-rahameem Rabeem. Somech Nofleem verofeh holeem U-mateer asooreem. U-makayem Emoo-na-so Lee-shay-nay a-far. Mee Kamo-cha Bal Ge-voo-ros U-mee Doraeh Lach. III-VECHOL V'chol v'chol maami-i-nim ma-min-im. She-hu. IV-B 'ROSH Be Rosh Hashanah Yee-kaseivun Yee-Kaseivun- Uvyom Tsora Kippur Yechatemu Yechatemu. V-VEAL KULOM Veal Kulom Elohai Selichos Selach Lanu Mechal Lanu Kaper Lanu. Hayom. Hayom. Hayom. Tamtzeinu. Amen. Hayom. Hayom. Hayom. T'vorchenu. Amen. Hayom. Hayom. Hayom. T'gadlenu. Amen VI-LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth the peace that was meant to be. With God as our father, brothers are all we Let me walk with my brother ' in perfect harmony Let peace begin with me let this be the moment no w. With every breath I take may this be my solumn vow. To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. In Memor iam WHEN WE REMEMBER THEM At the rising of the sun and at its going down, we remember them. At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter, we remember them. At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring, we remember them. At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer, we remember them. At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn, we remember them. At the beginning of the year and when it ends, we remember them. As long as we live, they too will live; for they are now a part of us, as we remember them. When we are weary and in need of strength we remember them. When we are lost and sick at heart we remember them. When we have joy we crave to share we remember them. When we have decisions that are difficult to make, we remember them. When we have achievements that are based on theirs, we remember them. As long as we live, they too will live; for they are now a part of us, as we remember them.