Most of the year, we go about our ways indifferent to the condition of our conscience, oblivious to our soul. But, on the Yamim Noraim, the Days of Awe, we are summoned to render an accounting for our lives. On the High Holidays, each of us must face the Supreme Judge.

This brings to mind the following story: A man, who was arrested for vagrancy was brought to appear before the judge. When questioned as to when he worked, the man replied, "Now and then." When asked what he did for a living, the reply was, "This and that." The last question by the judge was, "Where do you live?", to which the man replied, "Here and there."

"Young man, you are going to jail," the judge said thoroughly exasperated. "When do I get out?", asked the vagrant. "Sooner or later", replied the judge.

Sooner or later, we appear before the holiest of judges. We are tried at the bar of conscience, but we act as our own judge. We try ourselves with the recitation of the hallowed, High Holiday words.

One may ask, "What are words?" Words evaporate in the air, but do they really? What was the Declaration of Independence? Just a group of words, but they changed the destiny of the nation. What was the Magna Carta? Just a group of words, but they redirected the course of civilization. What were the Ten Commandments? Just 72 words, but they altered the destiny of mankind. During the Days of Awe, we recite words, meditate on words and even offer up unspoken words. If we take these words seriously and if we judge ourselves honestly, we can alter our lives for the better.

Rabbi Stanley E. Kroll