My Father, My King performed by Mogwai
Tonight and tomorrow are the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, when Jews, including many who are not religious, set aside all other business to fast and seek forgiveness from one another and from God. One of the most beautiful and sombre prayers in the service, that will be recited communally a number of times at the end of a list of transgressions and pleas for mercy, is Avinu Malkeinu, a request for grace and kindness.
Even as a secular Jew, atoning and making upstanding commitments as part of the community is a humbling tradition too worthy to pass up. This haunting melody, usually sung en-masse, brings back years of soul-searching and inspires me to get serious for a minute.