So, it happened. Friday was a crazy day, we spent three hours at IKEA (but we found what we wanted, mostly), I had to cook and I was tired and the blog didn't get written before Shabbat came in. In a way, it's a relief. Now that the shiny new car is dinged, I don't … Continue reading #BlogElul 13 and 14 – Remember and Learn
Tag: Rabbi Phyllis Sommer
#BlogElul 12 – Forgive
Today's word is Forgive, a word we use repeatedly in the High Holy Day liturgy, asking G-d to give us a chance to make things better in the new year. Looking back at my posts from 2012, 2013 and 2014, I discussed the importance of forgiving a person who has wronged us, if we can … Continue reading #BlogElul 12 – Forgive
#BlogElul 11 – Trust
Today's word is Trust. Trust is another one of those multifaceted words - so many different meanings. In past years, I've mused on repairing broken trust, and whether the Universe is a friendly place. It's a business truism that people buy from those they "know, like and trust". What does that mean? I understand know … Continue reading #BlogElul 11 – Trust
#BlogElul 10 – Count
Today's theme is Count, so I want to look at the traditional concept of cheshbon nefesh - literally, mathematics of the soul. It looks like I only wrote about this theme in 2013 and 2014 - I guess Rabbi Sommer does mix things up! When we are engaged in cheshbon nefesh, we are adding up … Continue reading #BlogElul 10 – Count
#BlogElul 9 – See
Judaism has a funny relationship with seeing. I've written about that in my previous three blog posts on this subject, here, here and here. The general idea is that our eyes will lead us astray, and we need help to stay on the straight and narrow. In particular, there was a concern that the colourful … Continue reading #BlogElul 9 – See
#BlogElul 8 – Hear
Today's word is Hear. I just went back and read the other three Hear posts, one about the still small voice, one about finding the writer's voice, and one about hearing voices of panic in my head when September hits ... that was last year. What do I want to write about this year? Maybe … Continue reading #BlogElul 8 – Hear
#BlogElul 7 – Be
I'm always curious about the methods that Rabbi Sommer uses to decide which word goes on which day. Some of it I'm sure is deliberately random, but on the other hand, if Be ended up on Shabbat just randomly, it was a very serendipitous chance. Shabbat, like no other day of the week, is a … Continue reading #BlogElul 7 – Be
#BlogElul 6 – Know
While thinking about what we know, I realise that we really don't have any objective measure for that. I'm not about to set myself up as a philosopher here, although I did have a lot of fun with philosophy in university. What I really mean is something simpler - we don't know what we don't … Continue reading #BlogElul 6 – Know
#BlogElul 5 – Accept
As many of you know, I've been living with a chronic disease since 1987. It has waxed and waned over the years, but it is not likely ever to be "cured". The best I can aim for is extended periods of remission, punctuated by uncomfortable flareups. The reason I am telling you this is not … Continue reading #BlogElul 5 – Accept
#BlogElul 4 – Understand
We think we understand things, but very often we are wrong. Reality is like the skins of an onion, there are always more layers underneath. Physical scientists understand this, they make models and theories but never (if they are wise) expect them to be perfect descriptions and explanations of what is really going on. The … Continue reading #BlogElul 4 – Understand