Ochila La'Kel

This is a beautiful 2nd Century Piyut by Yitzhak Algazi, recited on the High Holidays, the Yamim Noraim. Adonai s'fatai tiftach, ufi yagid t’hilatecha, God, open my lips that my mouth may tell Your praise.” (Psalm 51:17). Am I ready to stand before HaShem who gazes deeply, exposing, revealing my entire being? Am I ready to listen to the Kol D’mama Dakka, the Sound of Delicate Silence? We all carry a foreboding darkness of peril and instability. Some more than others. Some less. Am I safe? Am I loved? It is dark. I am afraid, and I think that I am all alone. Rosh Hashanah, which fall when the moon is mostly hidden, is called Yom ha'Keseh, The Day of Covering. The word Kippur, is the same for the word Kaporet, the Ark's covering. Both are images of HaShem’s protection and love. Baruch ata Adonai, Malbeesh Arumim, Adonai, Your great power clothes the naked. The God of the Bible is really the parent of humanity who clothes us, holds us, assures us that we are indeed not alone. Le'Adam ma'archi lev u'mHaShem mea'aneh lashon, A person arranges life, but ultimately all comes from God. Am I willing to open up to His presence? His protection? How much of His love can I take in