Today I worshiped at a small synagogue in North Adams, MA, for Rosh Hashanah. As a Jewish follower of Jesus, I find the Rosh Hashanah liturgy beautiful and powerful — and disconcerting.
It is disconcerting in that it is filled with confession, pleas for mercy and professions of faith in our Heavenly Father — and when you full understand and appropriate these realities, it can not help but be disconcerting.
But also comforting… for we are continually reminded of the grace and mercy of God! For Christians and Jewish Followers of Yeshua, we find this fulfilled in the life, teaching and ministry of Yeshua ha Moshiach. For Jews who do not recognize Jesus as Messiah, the fulfillment comes in a longing for Messiah to come.
Perhaps the most powerful prayer of the liturgy is Avinu Malkeinu, which literally translates as “Our Father, Our King”. It is a longing and powerfully chanted prayer that is both confessional and an examination of conscience.
Below is an English reflection on the prayer from Rabbi Burt Jacobson:
Avinu Malkeinu, teach us how to make this year a new beginning.
Avinu Malkeinu, teach us how to grow from the harshness of life.
Avinu Malkeinu, teach us how to accept what we must accept.
Avinu Malkeinu , teach us to change what must be changed.
Avinu Malkeinu, teach us how to face disease and death.
Avinu Malkeinu, teach us how to enjoy the gifts of life.
Avinu Malkeinu, teach us how to make peace with our enemies.
Avinu Malkeinu, teach us how we can best help our people, Israel.
Avinu Malkeinu, teach us how we can best help all humanity.
Avinu Malkeinu, let us find pardon for our wrongdoings.
Avinu Malkeinu, let us return to You, wholly and completely.
Avinu Malkeinu, teach us how to help those who are ill.
Avinu Malkeinu, let us write our names in the Book of Life.
Avinu Malkeinu, help us to find meaningful work.
Avinu Malkeinu, help us to find inner freedom.
Avinu Malkeinu, help us to learn how to love.
Avinu Malkeinu, receive our prayers.
Avinu Malkeinu, teach us how to be good lovers.
Avinu Malkeinu, teach us how to be good parents.
Avinu Malkeinu, teach us how to be good children.
Avinu Malkeinu, teach us how to be good friends.
Avinu Malkeinu, teach us how to be good followers of You.
Avinu Malkeinu, teach us how to be good people.
Avinu Malkeinu, teach us how to be one with Your universe.
And here is the pryaer being chanted… it is really quite beautiful and powerful:
BEN DUBOW 
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