On Fridays, we give you a double portion of our Elul Thoughts so that we can all take a rest from our electronics on Shabbat. Enjoy!
Rabbi Heidi Cohen
How are we using this month of Elul to pull away from our fast paced lives? The time is now to examine how we might have missed the opportunity to care for ourselves, especially when many of us are also the caregiver for at least one and sometimes more people; from our children, to our parents, and sometimes to both at the same time. We might be caregivers to other family, friends or even colleagues. Ultimately, our hope is to bring comfort to those in need and be there as support in times of need.
The prophet Isaiah wrote, “nachamu, nachamu ami: comfort, comfort My people.” (40:1) These words were spoken by Isaiah on behalf of God in order to bring comfort to the people after the Temple was destroyed. However, they also serve as an important reminder that a better day was coming and there should always be hope.
It is easy to push away our own needs. We are very good at coming up with excuses: I don’t have time for personal prayer or meditation; I’m too busy to read something for my own personal learning; I already did my time in religious school when I was a kid, why would I want to be bogged down with that now when it’s too late for me to learn anything new; I don’t have time to take care of my body when it hurts, it will just get better over time. I’m sure each of us can add to that list very easily.
The time has come for us to find the ways in which we can improve how we care for ourselves. It’s never too late until it is.
Rabbi Nico Socolovsky
Choose Joy!
For some people, joy means to be released from pain. How is that related to Judaism? We, Jews, are practically experts in the practice of Kvetching! But it turns out that in our tradition Joy actually has a central role. In fact, we affirm Mitzvah Gedola Lichiot B’simcha – it is a great commandment to live with Joy!
Says Arthur Green:
Imagine a religion that begins with “God wants you to be happy!” Beware of anything that threatens to take away your joy. In the end it will probably take you away from God as well. Simhah, or joy, is the attitude toward life that Judaism seeks to instill.
We often live in a state of lack, thinking that life can begin if only we get what we think we need. We all suffer, suffering is part of our being humans. However those who are completely focused on their own suffering find themselves farther and farther from any possible consolation… The question is if we are capable of lifting our eyes.
Joy doesn’t come out of self-punishment, joy comes from the understanding that this life is precious and every day on Earth is an opportunity! It comes from that moment in which you recognize your impediments but realize your possibilities.
There are many things in our lives over which we have very little control. We don’t know what circumstances will be presented to us in the year to come. However, we know that we can choose whether we are going to walk through with our heads down or we are rather going to lift our eyes and walk with Joy.
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