From the liturgy of the Day of Atonement, there is this prayer.
Rosh Hashanah is the New Year in the Jewish liturgy. The Book of Life
contents the fate of every sinner. Ten days later, at Yom Kippur,
depending on whether the sinner repents or not, his fate is sealed.
On Rosh Hashanah it is inscribed
And on Yom Kippur it is sealed
How many shall die and how many shall be born
Who shall live and who shall die
Who at the measure of days and who before
Who by fire and who by water
Who by the sword and who by wild beasts
Who by hunger and who by thirst
Who by earthquake and who by plague
Who by strangling and who by stoning
Who shall have rest and who shall go wandering
Who will be tranquil and who shall be harassed
Who shall be at ease and who shall be afflicted
Who shall become poor and who shall become rich
Who shall be brought low and who shall be raised high.
The existence of a Book Of life (Book of Living) first appears
in Exodus Chap. 32. Moses asking God atonement for his people.
Lord said him "Whoever has sinned against me, him will I blot
out of my book". In Psalm 69 (verse 28)David prays the Lord for
the sinners : "..Let them be blotted out of the book of life".
I was listening to Leonard Cohen last night I was reminded about his lyrics,-"Who by fire..." and what it actually means. How many ways one may die or will die. One may contemplate the above prayer in the depth of one`s soul. Its meaning is very profound, as we seldom think that perhaps our destiny is predetermined-by God. If we would recite this prayer daily-then maybe our approach to daily life would be rather different. It is like when someone receives news of an incurable disease, they suddenly come to term with their life- and see all in a different light. We see more clearly if and when the words of the above prayer is kept in our consciousness.
Perhaps that is what is happening to me subconsciously as there is so much talk about 9/11, as much is happening in my private life also at the moment where one has to confront life and death. I was drawn by some force to words of Cohen and his lyrics to think about it with serious introspection. This is a universal prayer - belongs really to no organized religion in my mind-as it fits all, though it is recited on the Day of Atonement in the Jewish religion. It gives us pause to see that human life is so fragile and from one moment to the next it can change.
Why are specific people killed at a certain time? Why are some spared during wars, major catastrophic events? Do we have any say in all of this as we possess free will? Or do things happen so that we may reflect upon such catastorphies suddenly coming upon us? Is it a wake up call?
Life is so very short-we work, strive to do our best and in the end what matters is what we have in our hearts. NO power, fame, money will make a difference in the long run-for we came naked into the world, and so we shall leave. All passes-and has no importance . Death –comes to all; it is just a matter of time.
Now, this maybe a rather morbid exercise , but it is true one which we should regularly consider, visit the idea as then perhaps we shall conduct our lives differently. Priorities certainly change once we face this reality about our finality on this planet. The prayer just reminds us- and reminds us also about really in how many possibilities there are in us losing our life-we should be grateful and ever thankful for God to allow us every moment of our existence.
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