Why are You Sleeping? Piyyutim of Awakening to the Yamim Noraim
Session 1: Wake Up
Throughout the month of Elul, Jewish communities rise early for Selihot, whose words and melodies serve to awaken us to teshuva (repentance) and Seliha (forgiveness). We will study the text and themes of several Selihot piyyutim together, including the opening piyyut “Ben Adam Mah Lekha Nirdam” (“Human Being, Why do you Slumber?”)
Session 2: Open the Gates
Rosh HaShanah, through Yom Kippur, are viewed as a time when the Gates of Rahamim, Mercy, are particularly receptive – an Et shaareh ratson. We will look at several central piyytim that develop this theme, and that introduce the Shofar and prayers of the day.