In respect for Shabbat and the many of us who choose to give our email a rest as well as ourselves, we are offering two Elul Thoughts--one for today and one for Shabbat.
Shabbat Shalom!
20 Elul/September 23
Elul is a time to acknowledge specific acts of wrongdoing as well as the more subtle ways of missing the mark – the times we hardened our hearts or held on to evil thoughts. We uncover a deeper truth about Judaism and our humanity when we not only focus on what we’ve done, but what we failed to do.
Each day there are acts of goodness that we can perform: a kind word, a little patience, a helping hand. The focus on sins and mistakes makes it possible to overlook the small things that we could and should be doing.
The issue, therefore, is not only our misdeeds, but apathy. Recalling and recounting our sins challenges us to change and grow, improve relationships and perform acts of kindness. It inspires us to be a mensch – a full human being.
(Inspired by Rabbi Irving Greenberg)
21 Elul/September 24
We need voices of doubt, wonder and faith to counteract voices of fear, division and despair. The Ner Tamid, the Eternal Light that graces many sanctuaries throughout the world, is a reminder that there is something greater in this universe than all of us combined. But the true brightness of that light is not in gazing upon it ourselves but in seeing its glimmer reflected in the eyes of a loved one and friend. That is when we realize that the light burns first from within. May we be each light to another… and banish the darkness.
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