Choose Life: A Slikhot Blessing

What of our lives, when our brother’s blood cries out from the ground?
Do we remain clean-shaven? A peaceful shepherd?
Or do we spend our days, “few and evil,” trying ceaselessly to steal what was never ours to claim?
As we prepare to trace the world’s beginnings, may we choose life.
As we greet the wheel of violence turning through time, may we choose life.
As we prepare to account for our own souls, may we choose life.
As we prepare to look at our families and friends anew, may we choose life.
And as we prepare to loosen the chains of exile and at last return to G-d and all the living, may we always, always, always, always, choose life.