Quite some time ago I promised to post the words to the prayer that forms the
inspiration for LC's song "Who by Fire". This comes from the additional
service on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and is part of a prayer attributed
to Rabbi Meshullam ben Kalonymous of Mayence around the year 1000.


Jewish oral tradition has it that on the New Year (Rosh Hashanah) we are all
judged for our actions in the past year. If we merit continued life, we are
inscribed in the Book of Life; otherwise, in the other volume. The decree is
not immediately final, however - a change of heart or repentance can change
the decree. We are given the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
as a special time of repentance. On Yom Kippur, the books are sealed. I
don't want to get into a discussion of this highly summarized fragment of our
liturgical legends; suffice it to say that repentance is always welcomed and
the "decree" can always be changed if the individual merits it.


Note that this is a short extract, and is presented out of context.


On Rosh Hashanah (the New Year) it is inscribed
And on Yom Kippur it is sealed
How many shall die and how many shall be born
Who shall live and who shall die
Who at the measure of days and who before
Who by fire and who by water
Who by the sword and who by wild beasts
Who by hunger and who by thirst
Who by earthquake and who by plague
Who by strangling and who by stoning
Who shall have rest and who shall go wandering
Who will be tranquil and who shall be harassed
Who shall be at ease and who shall be afflicted
Who shall become poor and who shall become rich
Who shall be brought low and who shall be raised high.


But penitence, prayer and charity avert the severe decree.


[Note that in Hebrew "Charity" and "Righteousness" are the same word.]