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The Awe of the Day of Atonement

The Musaf service is a living record of our history.  It describes the Temple times.  It is, without a doubt, the deepest point of the day.  It is here that we read of the actions of the high priest in the past, of the prayers on behalf of himself and his family, the priests, and the whole family of Israel.  It is here that the ineffable name of God was pronounced – the holiest name recited by the holiest man on the holiest day in the holiest of places. Again, later on the description of the two goats – one for God and the other the scapegoat.   One going to life, the other to death.   They stand for us.   “By facing our death, we are asked to justify our life.”   - Rabbi Jonathan Magonet