So, in August I inundated you with posts every day, and in September I was absent for three days of almost every week. What's going on? The Jewish holidays are on a curious schedule, strictly tied to the seasons of the Northern Hemisphere (the Torah clearly did not envision Jews in Australia or South Africa). … Continue reading Where September Went
Tag: Judaism
#BlogElul 29 – Return
Here it is. It's Erev Rosh HaShana. The last #BlogElul post of the season. I am both relieved and sad to have made it this far. I'm very proud that I did not miss a single day (although some were close!). But I am sad to bring this series to a close - it forced … Continue reading #BlogElul 29 – Return
#BlogElul 28 – Give
The other day I was listening to one of my favourite podcasters, Michael Hyatt. He was talking about the two different ways of thinking about the world - the scarcity model and the abundance model. The scarcity model is often evinced by people who have gone through hardship, or even more so, by the children … Continue reading #BlogElul 28 – Give
#BlogElul 27 – Intend
I intended to write a completely different blog post late last night, but it didn't work out that way. I started out with all kinds of high-falutin' words about intentionality, about the difference between murder and manslaughter, and all that. Then my brain just shut down on me, so I went to bed. This morning … Continue reading #BlogElul 27 – Intend
#BlogElul 26 – Hope
As you know, I've been writing this series of blog posts as part of Rabbi Phyllis Sommer's #BlogElul challenge. I've also been talking about her 7 year old son, Sam, who has just received a bone marrow transplant because of persistant leukemia. I don't know if Rabbi Sommer had the fact that September is Childhood … Continue reading #BlogElul 26 – Hope
#BlogElul 25 – Begin
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
#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 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