Day 4 of Elul is Shabbat. First of all, let me assure you that this post was written and scheduled well beforehand. I do not use the computer on Shabbat. This is a restriction that I gladly accept. We live in a time of abundance and addiction. I am quite severely addicted to that seductive … Continue reading #BlogElul 4 – Accept
Tag: #BlogElul
#BlogElul 3 – Bless
The third day of Elul is a Friday, the day we prepare for the blessing of Shabbat. In the evening we will bless the candles, the wine and the bread, and sink into the restfulness of the temporary cessation of all preparation. During the High Holy Days themselves, blessings abound. The special prayer book we … Continue reading #BlogElul 3 – Bless
#BlogElul 2 – Act
It has often been said that Judaism is a religion of action, rather than faith. Not that faith is not important, but action is what counts. I saw a Facebook post the other day, in which one of my non-Jewish friends proclaimed that he was going to hell. Not because of something he did, but … Continue reading #BlogElul 2 – Act
#BlogElul 1 – Prepare
It's finally here, Rosh Chodesh Elul. It's time to begin our month of #BlogElul, with the verb "Prepare". Strictly speaking, today is the second day of Rosh Chodesh Elul. The first was yesterday, the last day of Menachem Av, a mournful month full of the remembrance of tragedy and loss. Today is the first day … Continue reading #BlogElul 1 – Prepare
Announcing – #BlogElul! (again)
I can't believe it, but it's only six weeks until Rosh HaShanah, again. Another year has flown by. In a couple of weeks it will be Rosh Chodesh Elul, again. The shofar will sound at daily minyan, again. And Rabbi Phyllis Sommer, bless her, will have #BlogElul going again. It's a spiritual exercise, on blogs, … Continue reading Announcing – #BlogElul! (again)
Justice – #BlogElul 29
This is it - the last #BlogElul post of this season. It is now officially Erev Rosh HaShanah, or New Year's Eve. No champagne going on here, just lots of cooking and cleaning and preparing.I find it fascinating that Rabbi Sommer chose Justice as the final theme, rather than Mercy or Compassion (in fact, neither … Continue reading Justice – #BlogElul 29
Responsibility – #BlogElul 28
Taking responsibility has got to be one of the hardest lessons we ever learn. It's what the Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremony is really about - taking on adult responsibilities, even if in our modern society they are "only" ritual ones, and we don't really expect a 13 year-old to be responsible for their own … Continue reading Responsibility – #BlogElul 28
Good and Evil – #BlogElul 27
What a dualistic view of the world. White and black hats, good and bad guys. A very Western, very Greek way of looking at things, although the concept of a struggle between the forces of light and darkness goes back to ancient Persia. Obi-Wan and Darth Vader echo the ancient concepts of Zoroastrianism.Judaism sees things … Continue reading Good and Evil – #BlogElul 27
Readiness – #BlogElul 26
Are you ready? Are you ready for this? Are you hanging on the edge of your seat? The members of the classic rock band Queen were not thinking about spiritual preparation when they wrote their 1980 hit single "Another One Bites the Dust." It is a song of cruel revenge, of revelling in bullets ripping … Continue reading Readiness – #BlogElul 26
Forgiveness – #BlogElul 25
In the 14th chapter of the Book of Numbers, we have a very serious rebellion on the part of the people of Israel. They refuse to go in and claim the land that G-d has promised them, and threaten to stone the two spies who try to encourage them. They desire to return to Egypt, … Continue reading Forgiveness – #BlogElul 25