The world is riddled by death and destruction, the terrible divine decrees, violence and suffering, and full of lies; all of us are responsible and guilty, all of us without exception, myself especially. From the virtual place and power of the U’Netaneh Tokef, the introspective work of Yom Kippur, the entire purpose of it, is to move the Holy One off the Throne of Judgment and onto the Throne of Mercy.

(photo credit: Meg Karalis, Rooster and Chicken at New York State Fair)