8 Elul 5776

Elul follows the difficult month of Av. On the 9th of Av, Jews fast and mourn, commemorating the destruction of The Temple in Jerusalem. The reading of Lamentations suggests that God is angry at the Jewish people for losing faith and for not living according to the Torah. But, there is always hope. The end of Lamentations reminds us that we can always return to God. Elul reminds us that after destruction and pain, there is hope and renewal. Similarly, in our personal lives, there is always an opportunity for growth, healing and holiness.