Rabbi's Reflections

Elul, the Hebrew month preceding Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, is a time of introspection, repentance, reconciliation, and heightened spirituality.  This year, Elul begins on August 11th which just so happens to be the birthday of our Holy Days chairperson, Peter Lehrman (Happy Birthday Peter!) and the day that we will be preparing the mailing for Holy Day tickets (we could always use a few more volunteers).

If one has prepared physically for a race, (as I know many of you did for the Peachtree), the race experience is more likely to be positive. There will be few injuries and personal goals will be achieved.  And if one prepares spiritually for the Jewish Days of Judgment and Atonement, the High Holy Days experience is more likely to be positive, too.   The Peachtree is a 10k.  The Holy Days are a 10 day.  But how does one prepare for our annual spiritual ‘road race?’

These three suggestions for ways to observe Elul aim to help you prepare spiritually for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur:

In preparation for the New Year and Day of Atonement, Elul is the perfect time to honestly critique past behavior and commit to better behavior. What mistakes did you make this past year? How can you be a better person in the upcoming year? Who do you want to be?

Suggestion #1: Make a list of changes you want to make in yourself. Be sure to include concrete ways to make those changes.  If you need to repair a relationship that has suffered during the past year, create a plan for healing the rift.

According to Jewish tradition, Elul is the time to resolve relationships with others by asking forgiveness for wrongdoings. In addition to improving upon old relationships, Elul can be an
opportunity to build new relationships with your family and friends.

Suggestion #2: Make a list of those people with whom you would like to improve upon an old or build a new relationship. Include ways to make the changes. If a disagreement with a friend stands unresolved, pick up the phone and resolve it. If you want to improve your relationship with your teenage son, commit to times and plan activities to do with him.

"God is my light and my helper, whom shall I fear?" (Psalm 27). In traditional synagogues these words are added to every service during the month of Elul.  In addition, this time of preparation is heightened by the inclusion of the Selichot Service which is held on the Saturday evening prior to Rosh Hashanah.  The shofar is blown at the end of this service to help prepare for its sound. (September 4th this year-check your Kol Kehillah and ticket mailing for details.)

Suggestion #3: If you do not regularly attend services, this is a great time to get comfortable before the extended Holy Day worship.  It is always good to sing the Shema with the congregation.

Now that you have maximized Elul as an opportunity to better yourself, improve your relationships with others, and move closer to God, it is time to wish you a Shana Tova (Happy New Year) and Gmar Chatima Tova (Good Signing in the Book of Life)!
Rabbi Harvey J. Winokur