Elul

This is the Jewish month of Elul, the month before Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. It is the time to review the past year from the perspective of one's actions and behavior and to take stock of one's life. What did I do these past twelve months? What didn't I do? What can I do better next year?

It is always good to reflect on how one is living his/her life -- all the moreso when one is about to be judged by one's Creator.

I hope I did more Mitzvot, good deeds, than the year before. I hope I helped someone, made someone's road easier.

I pray that I did not cause anyone pain. And I pray that I may live to give, or, as they say, "Merit to do another mitzvah."

Zrizut (rushing) when it comes to doing mitzvot and silence when it comes to saying what should not be said.

May you have a great spiritual experience this Elul as you prepare for the Days of Awe!

Perspectives on the New Year

I survived Rosh Hashana, or in reframe parlance, I had a unique Rosh Hashana experience this year. The first night and following day provided two excellent "drashes," or sermons by the Rabbi at the first shul (Temple). He is an Orthodox-raised and trained Rabbi serving a Conservative congregation. His speaking was so deep and beautiful -- and most of all, memorable. He spoke of why certain words were used in the Torah (Old Testament) to mean "remember." The word "remember" occurs many times, and, the Hebrew uses different words for different meanings. But the one the Rabbi stressed was when God uses the word remember which means he is going to keep a promise to the Jewish people. So, remember can mean commitment, promise, result, outcome. The second day we went to another shul. This one featured a choir, a pianist, a guitarist and a lot of rousing singing and participation. I got to experience the coming of the New Year from two very different perspectives. But, for me, it was about what I am going to commit to for the coming year. Who am I going to be this year? Better, more giving, more loving, more committed. I will remember.

Happy New Year 5769

Monday night begins the Jewish New Year, a very holy and serious holiday during which one takes an accounting of his life and deeds and makes amends to anyone he hurt or fought with. Under Jewish Law, it is required that one apologize and ask forgiveness three times -- if the other won't forgive -- you are absolved of the requirement and it is considered over. Rosh Hashana involves praying a lot, and eating a lot of sweet food so you will have a sweet year. It is a time for one to reconcile with God, with one's fellow man, and so importantly, with oneself. If you are mad at yourself for a mistake made, if you harbor feelings of self-hatred, remorse, or sadness, Rosh Hashana, and the 10 days leading to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, give you the opporunity to get it right. This is the time for self-reflection, personal and spiritual growth. For those seeking a spiritual connection to God or a Higher Power, Rosh Hashana provides a context in time, a shelter, if you will, in which to accomplish this somewhat daunting task. It is so hard to get it right all of the time. One significant aspect of Repentence, or Teshuvah, during this holiday, is that you foreswear the repetition of the offense. So, you cursed in traffic. You say, "Sorry," to God and promise not to do it again. And if you do, you will repent again next year....There are many levels of meaning, much deeper than this simplistic explanation. Rosh Hashana is the Jewish celebration of creation. And we, as God's people, must create anew every day. And with each and every decision we make, we are re-creating the world. So, I would like to publicly like to say that I am sorry for any offenses I committed, knowingly (I did curse in traffic the other day), or unknowingly -- My apologies to God and the Cosmos. I believe that this will be a great year, a year of great opportunities, great challenges, and great joy. And a Blessing, that this year bring you Sweetness and Light and all things Good! Shana Tova!