Unesaneh Tokef is a prayer recited in the Musaf service of Rosh
Hashanah and Yom Kippur, just before Kedusha. It is one of the
most stirring and emotional prayers of the entire Yomim Noraim.
Written by Rabbi Amnon of Mainz, Germany, about one thousand
years ago, the prayer describes the Yomim Noraim as a time of
judgment, where people symbolically pass before Hashem. In the
prayer, there is an listing of the possible fates that may
befall people, but it also includes an emphasis on Hashem's
attribute of forgiveness. This is the story Reb Amnon lived in
the town of Mainz, and was well known throughout the area for
the righteous way in which he lived his life. The bishop of
Mainz heard of the rabbi and wanted to see him. Reb Amnon
visited the bishop and spoke to him about religion. The bishop
was deeply impressed by the rabbi's piety and determined that
such a good man should be his friend and advisor. He also
insisted that he leave the Jewish religion and convert to
Christianity. The bishop gently argued with