Selichot Prayer

Praise Elul, the plowing
Praise Selichot, the planting
Praise Rosh Hashannah, the watering,
Praise Yom Kippur, the weeding
Praise Sukkot, the Harvest.

And now, we begin.
Plant the Seeds
Begin the search.
For Selichot, Forgiveness

Dear God
Incline your metaphorical ear
Open your metaphorical eye
To our Abundant Folly
Iniquity and sin against wholeness.
Notice our pain!
We’re on our knees,
Asking for blessings, bracha,
Bending, pleading for kindness.

The truly evil are already condemned
The truly good are already blessed
And the rest of us, most of us,
Can only hope for mercy
And a little leeway.

We are ready to start the search for teshuvah
Returning every year
To plant the seeds of forgiveness
Of self and others.

Be with us in our struggle
As we pray for compassion and kindness
for all who are in pain
or who have caused pain.

Praise Elul, the plowing
Praise Selichot, the planting
Praise Rosh Hashannah, the watering,
Praise Yom Kippur, the weeding
Praise Sukkot, the Harvest.