Machzor Yom Kippur Ashkenaz, Maariv Service for Yom Kippur Eve, Yaaleh 78-84
Like clay in the hands of the potter, if they will, they can expand it, if they will, they can contract it; so too are we in Your hand, Preserver of kindliness and not the accuser! Like stone in the hand of the mason, if they will, they hold it in position, if they will, they smash it; so too are we in Your hands, Causer of life and death. Heed the covenant and not the accuser! Like iron in the hand of the smith, if they will, they put it to the fire, if they wills, they remove it; so too are we in Your hand, Supporter of the poor and destitute. Heed the covenant and not the accuser! Like the rudder in the hand of a sailor, if they will, they hold it, if they will, they let it go; so too are we in Your hand, Almighty, Who is good and pardons. Heed the covenant and not the accuser!
Like glass in the hand of the glazier, if they will, they shape it, if they will, they dissolve it; so too are we in Your hand, Absolver of intentional and unintentional sin. Heed the covenant and not the accuser! Like a tapestry in the hand of an embroiderer, if they will, they make it straight, if they will, they make it crooked; so too are we in Your hand, jealous and vengeful Almighty heed the covenant and not the accuser! Like silver in the hand of the refiner if they will, they adulterate it, if they will, they keep it pure; so too are we in Your hand, Who prepares a cure for our wounds. Heed the covenant and not the accuser!
Questions to Consider and Discuss:
- How do the metaphors used above help you understand yourself? God?
- How do the metaphors help you think about the relationship between humanity and the divine?
- Why do we start from the potter and make our way to the silver refiner? Does this speak to a part of our lives and/or our relationships with the Divine and others?
