Rabbi Nachi Friedman’s Rosh Hashanah Message for 2025

Living a Life Full of Life

One of the most awe inspiring and intense moments on Rosh Hashana is the Unesane Tokef prayer. For me it always felt scary, ominous and foreboding. All creatures shall parade before you as a herd of sheep. As a shepherd herds his flock, directing his sheep to pass under his staff, so you shall pass, count, and record the souls of all living, and decree a limit to each person’s days, and inscribe their final judgment. On Rosh Hashanah it is inscribed, and on Yom Kippur it is sealed – how many shall pass away and how many shall be born, who shall live and who shall die, who in good time, and who by an untimely death.

However, since October 7th this prayer feels different. It changed from ominous to horror. Could it be true that 10/7 was written on Rosh Hashana? Is it true that the fate of the hostages, fallen soldiers, civilians were inscribed 22 days before October 7th?

Unfortunately, as a nation we have a history of praying in the face of tragedy. The Artscroll Machzor recounts the history of this auspicious prayer as a prayer written in a time of tragedy and hardship. Rabbi Amnon of Mainz composed and recited this prayer limbless as he took his last few breaths when his small community was persecuted under Christian rule. Our prayer in question stems from tragedy. If they could write this with strong faith, we can recite it with strong faith.

Rabbi Taragin in his book, “Dark Clouds Above Faith Below,” writes Hashem took many korbanot – sacrifices from our people. We don’t know why. We ask Hashem to quickly redeem our people and restore our Mikdash so we can offer Him the Korbonot he desires.

Rabbi Taragin shares a message from one of the holy korbonot: Fallen soldier Ben Zusman z’L wrote before going off to war post-10/7: Even if something occurs, I don’t allow you to sink into despondency. I had the privilege to fulfill my dream rest assured I am looking down on you from heaven with a broad smile. When we live a life based on our values, we are prepared to die for them if the situation demands it. This isn’t death, this is an ennobled life. It is a tragic death, but part of a larger and eternal historical narrative. Rabbi Taragin posits that while we cannot know why they had to die; we do know that their death is merely physical. Their lessons and spirit live with us beyond their burial. A true Korbon.

Perhaps this is one approach to understanding this prayer. Every year we are evaluated for our life. Not because we will be destined to death or life on this day, but rather we are asking if we are living a life that is full of life. Will our actions have meaning and further our mission? Are we living consistent with our values and living in this world? Living means fulfilling our purpose and being true to our values. Are we fulfilling and following our values at the right time or do we need reminders to get back on track?

As we prepare for our High Holiday experience culminating in listening to the Shofar blasts let us take upon ourselves a good idea, resolution or commitment for the upcoming 10 days. It can be to learn, daven slightly slower or with more intent. Perhaps we can accept and make an effort in our interpersonal relationships with our friends and family. With the merit of our new commitments may we take the next steps forward towards living a life of life.

Nachi Friedman is the rabbi at Anshi S’fard and the school counselor at Torah Day School of Atlanta.