Unetaneh Tokef for 5780

On Rosh HaShanahThe Jewish New Year, also considered the Day of Judgment. The period of the High Holidays is a time of introspection and atonement. The holiday is celebrated with the sounding of the shofar, lengthy prayers in synagogue, the eating of apples and honey, and round challah for a sweet and whole year. Tashlikh, casting bread on the water to symbolize the washing away of sins, also takes place on Rosh Hashana. it is written, on Yom KippurThe holiest day of the Jewish year and the culmination of a season of self-reflection. Jews fast, abstain from other worldly pleasures, and gather in prayers that last throughout the day. Following Ne'ilah, the final prayers, during which Jews envision the Gates of Repentance closing, the shofar is sounded in one long blast to conclude the holy day. It is customary to begin building one's sukkah as soon as the day ends. it is sealed:
Who will die from unclean water? Who will die from an assault weapon?
Who will die because they were of a particular race or religion?
Who will die because of lack of shelter?
Who will die because of hunger?
Who will die because they were banned from entering a country to seek asylum?
Who will die because they contracted the flu inside a detention camp?
Who will die because they were returned to the country of their birth?
Who will die because they were walking down the street at night, black and trans?
Who will die because they were caught in the crossfire of neighborhood gun violence?

But our tradition teaches:
We can turn in teshuvah. We can live with greater awareness, compassion, and involvement.
We can offer tefilahLit. Prayer. Our prayers may not save those at risk but they can motivate us to act.
We can give tzedakahCharity. In Hebrew, the word tzedakah derives from the word for justice. Tzedakah is not seen as emanating from the kindness of one’s heart but, rather, as a communal obligation. and be involved with tzedek – give charity and promote justice.

Our tradition teaches, “You do not have to complete the task but you are not absolved from it.”