The Gates are Still Open: A Year of Blessings

by Rabbi Debra Smith

The Gates don’t truly close until the eighth day of Sukkot, right before Shemini Atzeret. 

The mystical book the Zohar teaches that, while the judgment for the new year is sealed on Yom Kippur, it is not delivered until the end of Sukkot, giving us an extra measure of time to lessen the impact of God’s verdict for the new year.

Source of All Life:
You are our Light and our comfort.
We seek to dwell in Your Tent
in comfort and in grace.

Source of Time and Seasons:
You are the Guardian of Justice and Peace
for all who dwell  under your heavens.
May we be inscribed in the Book of Life
for this New Year.

Source of All That is:
You are our Rock.
Hear the cries of those who suffer.
Respond to those in need.

Creator and Fashioner of All Life:
We bow in awe and silence before You.
May we be sealed in the Book of Life for this New Year.