In the circle of life, after an ending, there must be a beginning. As summer approaches its end, we look forward to all the new beginnings associated with the High Holy Days. Not only do we start a new year, 5774, on Rosh HaShanah, but we also complete the cycle of reading the Torah at … Continue reading #BlogElul 25 – Begin
Tag: #BlogElul
#BlogElul 24 – End
Friday is the end of the work week, tomorrow is Shabbat again, yay! I cannot believe how close we are to Rosh HaShanah. Where did Elul go? Many people have commented that September feels more like a new year than January. Who puts the new year in the dead of winter anyway? Makes much more … Continue reading #BlogElul 24 – End
#BlogElul 23 – Love
We've been talking about change, about daring, and by extension about fear. What is the opposite of fear? To quote the great Steven Pressfield, the opposite of fear is love. If you follow this blog, you know that I have mixed feelings about Steven Pressfield. I love much of what he says, especially the quote … Continue reading #BlogElul 23 – Love
#BlogElul 22 – Dare
You'll notice that I have a badge right next to this blog post (and all others), which says "I am daring greatly" and has a link to Dr. Brené Brown's website. I am a great fan of her work - she's a researcher who writes amazing books on shame and resilience. If you are local, … Continue reading #BlogElul 22 – Dare
#BlogElul 21 – Change (II)
It's been a very rough year for Rabbi Phyllis Sommer and her family. As you read this blog post on August 27, her 7-year-old son Sam will be undergoing a bone marrow transplant to treat his persistent leukemia. It's a parent's nightmare. Sam can use all of our good thoughts and prayers, so please send … Continue reading #BlogElul 21 – Change (II)
#BlogElul 19 – Ask
In the days leading up to the High Holy Days, it is customary to ask forgiveness of anyone we may have wronged. The idea is that any sins we have committed towards other people can only be forgiven by the injured party, not by G-d. It's an interesting concept. While other religions might view absolution … Continue reading #BlogElul 19 – Ask
#BlogElul 18 – Pray
Another Shabbat post, written on Friday as part of the overall preparations - cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, writing blog posts. Doesn't everybody do that? So the verb of the day is Pray. Appropriate for Shabbat, of course, as we spend a good part of the day in shul, conversing with the Almighty. We use words … Continue reading #BlogElul 18 – Pray
#BlogElul 17 – Awaken
Since I don't have to get anybody out to school in the morning during the summer, I've been going to morning minyan more often. That means that I've been hearing the sound of the Shofar, as it is blown every morning during Elul, at the end of the morning service. What does the Shofar have … Continue reading #BlogElul 17 – Awaken
#BlogElul 16 – Change
As I mentioned yesterday, learning leads to change. Change is probably the scariest thing in the world, to many people. Others restlessly seek it out, bored with the everyday. What is it about change? The need for security and safety is very fundamental to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, just above such basics such as food … Continue reading #BlogElul 16 – Change
#BlogElul 15 – Learn
Oh my, Rabbi Sommer. I have so much to say about this, I don't know where to start. Learning is my absolutely favourite thing to do, and this High Holy Day season is no exception. We begin learning in the womb, when we become familiar with our mother's heartbeat and voice. If we're lucky, we … Continue reading #BlogElul 15 – Learn