CBI Blogs

Shalom Chaverim,

Our family is fortunate to have an 11-year-old, black, golden doodle named Lacey. Lacey has trained us that she will go for a stroll twice daily to look after her biological needs. Thanks to Lacey’s habits we have a front row seat to the cycles of the moon. Many nights I will point out the tiny sliver of a new moon and announce how beautiful it is because it isn’t marking Rosh Chodesh Elul – the first day of the Hebrew month of Elul. However, as the sun set and the new moon began to make itself known in the night sky on Monday, August 25^th I knew we were leaving what might have felt like the mundane month of Av and beginning the official countdown to the beginning of our High Holy Day season.

Why the Hebrew month of Elul? Because this is the month leading up to Tishrei when, “…in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe complete rest, a sacred occasion commemorated with loud blasts.” (Leviticus 23:24)

During the month of Elul we are to participate in Cheshbon Hanefesh, a recounting of our souls. We are meant to hear the call of the Shofar every day of this month to remind us of the personal preparation we should be doing to be ready for Rosh Hashanah and, maybe even more importantly, the work of teshuvah that is to take place in the 10 days in between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. In synagogue we use a different siddur, Mishkan Halev: Prayer for S’lichot and the Month of Elul © 2017 CCAR for our Friday night services. This siddur is full of beautiful readings and inspiring poetry to support us in our work.

This week when we gather for Shabbat, it will be the 12^th of Elul. We are just 12 days into this time of introspection, so I want to encourage you and let you know that it isn’t too late. You haven’t missed the opportunity to ask yourself big questions about who you are, how you have behaved in the world towards others in the year that has passed since last Rosh Hashanah, and what you would like to do differently.

As I have been doing my own personal work over the past 11 days, I have been thinking a lot about the importance of seeing the beauty directly in front of us. Of finding peace in what might otherwise be discarded as mundane moments. This past weekend my husband surprised me with a delightfully relaxing staycation. On Sunday morning we strolled the hike and bike trail on Lady Bird Johnson Lake. We weren’t in a rush, and it is where I snapped the photo that is posted with this blog. The shadows and reflections of the clouds in the water were stunning.

The month of Elul, while daunting to those of us who work in the Jewish professional realm, is a remarkable gift that you can choose to unwrap and participate in as much or as little as you feel up to. I hope you will give it a try and see what gifts you receive in return.

Shabbat Shalom