Yesterday the phone rang and it was a rather prominent member of our community, wanting to talk to my husband. Since she isn't someone we socialise with, and it was the second Sunday in September, I guessed that she was calling to canvass us for the Combined Jewish Appeal, our local Federation's major fundraising push.We … Continue reading Giving – #BlogElul 24
Tag: #BlogElul
Awakening – #BlogElul23
Ooh, a tough one this time, Rabbi Sommer. I feel like I am in a dialogue with you, even though I've never met you or even corresponded with you. I do hope you are reading these blog posts - I think you are. It's funny how some of these little contributions just flow out of … Continue reading Awakening – #BlogElul23
Seeing – #BlogElul 22
This morning at minyan I had the privilege of leading Shacharit, as I usually do on Sundays. I was thinking about the commandment to wear the tzitzit, the ritual fringes that give the tallit its meaning - otherwise it is just a four-cornered shawl. We remind ourselves of this commandment every morning in the third … Continue reading Seeing – #BlogElul 22
Hearing – #BlogElul 21
The High Holiday services are very auditory - the cantor leads the congregation in many traditional tunes, often there is a choir to enhance the experience. The rabbi gives a longer and more intense sermon than usual. The shofar sounds 100 times over the two days of Rosh HaShanah, and with full force at the … Continue reading Hearing – #BlogElul 21
Endings – #BlogElul 20
How clever of Rabbi Sommer to put Endings at the end of the work week, as we prepare for Shabbat. Cooking special foods, looking forward to resting and seeing friends at shul, putting this first week of school behind us. I've been writing and posting these blogs the evening before, when it is the Jewish … Continue reading Endings – #BlogElul 20
Beginnings – #BlogElul 19
Ah, Rabbi Sommer, you've hit it again. Right on the nose. I heard people on the radio talking about how September really feels more like a new year than January - especially in Manitoba, where the summer is short and precious. The people reluctantly come back from the lake and take up reality again, preparing … Continue reading Beginnings – #BlogElul 19
Love – #BlogElul 18
Tomorrow is my kids' first day of school for this year. That is the main reason my day of Elul is practically coinciding with my day of September - I need to finish this blog post and go to bed, my alarm will go off at 6:30 for the first time in two months.There was … Continue reading Love – #BlogElul 18
Inspiration – #BlogElul 17
Ah, Inspiration.That elusive energising of the imagination that we all seek. The Greeks personified it as nine goddesses, each in charge of a different form of art, and called upon them to support their efforts - the opening lines of both the Iliad and the Odyssey are invocations of the Muse. Romantic poets such as … Continue reading Inspiration – #BlogElul 17
Wonder – #BlogElul 16
Today is the 16th day of Elul, because the sun has already set. Very confusing, because it is still September 2nd. At midnight, the two days will coalesce into one, only to separate again at tomorrow's sunset.Our ability to handle two calendars at the same time is only part of the wonder that is the … Continue reading Wonder – #BlogElul 16
Learning and Health – #BlogElul 14 and 15
As I was planning this series of blog posts about Elul, following Rabbi Phyllis Sommer's #BlogElul system that you see here on the left, I knew I couldn't write number 14 on Shabbat, so I figured I'd write it after Shabbat was out. But by then, of course, it would be the 15th of Elul, … Continue reading Learning and Health – #BlogElul 14 and 15