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 Torah Thoughts
Elul
Elul is the month preceding Rosh HaShanah. Thus, in our
tradition, it is a month of introspection and Teshuvah (return/ repentance)
in preparation for the High Holidays.
Elul as a period of repentance dates back to ancient
times. Moses ascended Mt.
Sinai to receive the
Torah again on Rosh Chodesh Elul, after smashing the first stone tablets upon
witnessing the sin of the golden calf. Forty days later, on the tenth of
Tishrei, Moses descended, his mission accomplished. That day was Yom Kippur,
the Day of Atonement- the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. Thus, the forty
day period between Rosh Chodesh Elul and Yom Kippur have been established as
a time for reflection and repair of one’s relationships with G-d, oneself and
everyone else.
It is customary to blow the shofar EVERY DAY (except
Shabbat) during the morning service from the beginning of Elul until the eve
of Rosh HaShanah. The shofar is a powerful reminder that the Days of Awe are
rapidly approaching.
This year, let us make a conscious plan to work during
the next 5-6 weeks to improve ourselves and our relationship with G-d. Let’s
try to catch ourselves the next time we are about to say something negative
about another person. Let us try to control ourselves when we are about lash
out at someone who caught us in a bad mood. Let us try to give a little more
charity than we usually do. Let us choose one mitzvah that we will resolve to
keep more carefully at this time, for example lighting candles on Friday (see
candle-lighting time above) to help us appreciate the special aura of
Shabbat, when we recognize G-d as the Creator and Author of history. Let us
make a concerted effort to learn more about what it means to be a Jew by attending
classes and reading books.
May we, and the entire Jewish People merit appreciating the special
opportunities that G-d provides for us. By grasping these opportunities, we
and the entire world will surely merit true peace, prosperity and heightened
spiritual awareness.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Baruch Price
Technical
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