Cantor Moses' Musings- HINNENI- Here I Am

This year when we hear the shofar we will certainly hear it as a broken cry. We are crying for injustice, violence, pain, fear and unspeakable grief as we enter 5786. This opening prayer, Hinneni, meaning HERE I AM is also a cry, as we cry out in all of our heartbreak and in all of our hope. I can't think of a more urgent time in our collective experience than in this moment of absolute heartbreak as we desperately cling on to hope. 

This prayer is chanted by the Hazzan/Cantor, the prayer leader on behalf of the congregation, as we stand together as one during the high holy days trembling in fear, overwhelmed in worry and yet also filled with a deep desire for change and redemption.

This year, as you hear this ancient melody, close your eyes and let it pierce your soul. This prayer instructs us to love peace and to love truth. It also pleads to the Divine. “May there not be stumbling blocks in our prayers.” What are your personal stumbling blocks? What are our collective stumbling blocks? 

  It concludes with the following blessing. “Blessed are you, who hears our call for renewal, redemption, healing and harmony.”


Ken Y’hi Ratzon- May it be so.