On Rosh Hashanah, Jewish tradition teaches that the Book of Life is opened. It's a time when we pray to be inscribed for another year. I don’t take the gift of asking for life for granted. It's not something I was able to do last year. To stand in prayer, broken pieces and all, and still whisper “let me live” is an act of both courage and gratitude. Darkness is real, but so is the choice to keep turning toward light. ====================================== Verse 1: It’s a new year, a beginning They praise you, call your name I hold my siddur, swaying Whisper words that still feel strange Prechorus: One line — one name — ink the promise in the book, One heartbeat — one yes — let the world all look. Chorus: כָּתְבֵנוּ לְחַיִּים, Write my name on this new day, Not because I don’t know darkness, But in spite of it, I pray. I am here with all my broken parts I bring them to the light I give כָּתְבֵנוּ לְחַיִּים, I will choose to live. Verse 2: What kind of fool begs for more years? What kind of fool invites more tears? But I am here, and I will stay For one more year, for one more day Pre-chorus: One line — one name — ink the promise in the book, One heartbeat — one yes — let the world all look. Chorus: כָּתְבֵנוּ לְחַיִּים, Write my name on this new day, Not because I don’t know darkness, But in spite of it, I pray. I am here with all my broken parts I bring them to the light I give כתבנו לחיים I will choose to live. Bridge (solo — raw, then growing) It hurts to ask for living, It costs to stay and try To speak your name before the One who knows your darkest cries. The books are spread wide open, their pages turn anew, And I step forward, shaking, and send this plea to You: Chorus: כָּתְבֵנוּ לְחַיִּים, Write my name on this new day, Not because I don’t know darkness, But in spite of it, I pray. The words I thought I couldn’t say Are the ones saving me today. כָּתְבֵנוּ לְחַיִּים, I will choose to stay.
