Some of my worst childhood memories are sitting in the synagogue, bored out of my mind, mumbling the words of the High Holiday prayers. It was simple: I did not understand the words I was saying. They had no meaning to me. Even though we were observant, and I attended a Jewish day school, the Hebrew prayers just did not speak to a kid who spoke English at home.

Then, at age fourteen, I was inspired by the following story:

Abe Saks was a high school basketball coach and former trainer with the Harlem Globetrotters. He was growing in his Jewish observance, and felt bad that he could not say the prayers in Hebrew.

On impulse, he decided to visit 770 Eastern Parkway, from where the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, led the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. The Rebbe met Abe in the hallway. Before Abe had a chance to utter a word, the Rebbe said with a broad smile, “G‑d Almighty understands all languages—English as well.”

I purchased a Hebrew-English prayer book and have used it to help me understand the meaning of the prayers. With time, I learned much Hebrew from my trusted prayerbook. It was a relief to know that I could always turn to the English when I did not understand the Hebrew. Each year, several weeks in advance of the High Holidays, I continue to learn more of the High Holiday prayers and my prayer book serves as my trusted guide.

The prayers are not just words that need to be said. They are words to be internalized.

With blessings for sweet and meaningful prayers and a happy and sweet new year!

Dovid Zaklikowski,
on behalf of the Chabad.org Editorial Team