At the end of Yom Kippur, the images are of gates closing. But now, as we enter the last few days of Elul and arrive at the New Year, the emotional and spiritual place we have entered since S’lichot is one where the gates are beginning to open – gates of the soul, gates of heaven, entrances to holiness, full of possibility. A link from a friend on facebook today pointed to a powerful soul-reflection of a song recorded by Nina Simone – a spiritual called ‘Nobody’s fault but mine’, with a fascinating history.
Music is one of the keys that open the gates to the soul. Earlier this month, our Cantor, Sheri Blum, reflected on the power of Avinu Malkeynu as a soul-opening and transformational piece of music and liturgy. Listen to one of the most powerful recordings of the Janowski setting, by Barbra Streisand.
May our gates be opened, may our hearts be moved, and may our soul-work this season bring us closer to our Source.
