Elul 14

Have you ever listened to Klezmer music? This period of Elul can be compared to a beautiful Klezmer melody. A good Klezmer tune weaves together introspection and melancholy with joy and hope. We sing about the past sometimes with sadness, but nonetheless, we dance toward the future.

Elul 13, 5774

A few weeks ago many in this country mourned the passing of the comedian and actor Robin Williams. We hear of celebrity deaths all the time, but Williams’ death touched the heart of so many because of his unique gifts. Of course he was witty and smart, but he exuded compassion at the same time as he did humor. He could bring us to tears of laughter with his incredible gift for improvisation and comedy. He made us think and he made us cry. His roles as an alien, a father, a teacher, a therapist or a genie all touched a special place in the human soul. Uniquely, Robin Williams was an entertainer who spanned generations of audiences. His death awakened us to the tremendous burden and hurt so many carry as they battle depression, and reminds us to reach out to those in need of support.

One of his roles was in the film “Jack,” where he played the title character, a boy with a rare genetic disorder that caused him to age 4 times faster than normal. He was a 4th grader with the appearance of a 40 year old. While the Francis Ford Coppola directed movie was not a success for either of them, there is a touching and tender moment to inspire our New Year. As the aged valedictorian of his High School class, Jack says “In the end none of us have very long on this earth. Life is fleeting. And if you're ever distressed, cast your eyes to the summer skies, when the stars are strung across the velvety night, and a shooting star streaks through the blackness turning night into day. Make a wish. Think of me. Make your life spectacular. I know I did.”

12 Elul 5774

It is common practice to dedicate a teaching to a loved one or a great teacher. Today, on what would have been his 72nd birthday, this Elul Reflection is dedicated to both--my father Vic Young, z"l.

The music at Jewish summer camps is a fundamental part of the camp worship experience. Young women and men lead the camp in songs and prayers that express ancient ideas in new and beautiful melodies that speak to the hearts and souls of our youth. If the melody has hand motions, or inspires the kids to get up and dance, or just sounds good to them, it becomes an instant summer hit. Much of Reform Jewish worship in the synagogue today is influenced by these special moments from camp.

At Camp Coleman this summer, I learned a phenomenal new version of Elohai Neshama, the morning prayer that thanks God for creating and forming the pure soul that exists in each one of us, and allows us to see the wonder and beauty of the world around us. This version is a “mash-up” with the song “Awake My Soul” by the British folk-rock band Mumford & Sons. The refrain of the song reminds us of an important lesson we often take for granted: “In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die, and where you invest your love, you invest your life.” As we prepare for a New Year, where will we invest our love and our lives? How will we use our souls to make that investment?

(And if you want to hear a great version of the Mumford & Sons song, you can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pxs_p1535WE)

Elul 10-11, 5774

Reflecting on our lives - our mistakes and how to do better is difficult. It’s difficult to do and more importantly, it’s difficult to want to do. Yet we shouldn't be discouraged. While the Torah teaches us that God is perfect and just (Deut. 32:4), it also teaches us that God regrets, God loses God’s temper, and God kvetches often.  It’s no wonder that Jewish mystics envisioned a broken, shattered God for a broken world and the broken, imperfect people that live within it. Fully aware of our weakness and our flaws, they had the audacity to suggest that we, with our imperfect lives, have the capacity to heal the world, heal God, and heal ourselves in the process. Such healing is possible and the path to healing begins with reflection.

(Charlie Cytron-Walker)

Straying From the Path and Helping Others Find It

Sometimes, we stray from the path of goodness and need the help of others to be reminded of our better selves.

In The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness, and Peace, Jack Kornfield describes an African forgiveness ritual:

In the Babemba tribe of southern Africa, when someone does something harmful, they take the person to the center of the village where the whole tribe comes and surrounds them. For two days, they will say to the man all the good things that he has done.

The tribe believes that each human being comes into the world as good. Each one of us only desiring safety, love, peace and happiness. But sometimes, in the pursuit of these things, people make mistakes.

The community sees those mistakes as a cry for help. They unite to lift him, to reconnect him with his true nature, to remind him who he really is, until he fully remembers the truth of which he had been temporarily disconnected: “I am good.”

Elul 9, 5774

The tale is told about a cantor who would study with the tzaddik Rabbi Mordechai of Nadvorna and before Rosh Hashanah, he seemed very impatient and asked Rabbi Mordechai to be dismissed early.

“Why are you in such a hurry?” the rabbi asked.

The cantor replied, “I am leading the congregation in services and I need to examine the festival prayer book and put my prayers in order.

Rabbi Mordechai responded, “The prayer book is the same as it was last year, but it would be better for you to examine your heart and your deeds, and put yourself in order.

(ed. Philip Goodman, The Rosh Hashanah Anthology, p. 140-1)

Elul 8, 5774

An old Hasidic tale:  A rabbi and a soap maker were walking down the street together.  The soap maker was puzzled.  “Rabbi,” he asked, “why do we bother keeping our Jewish traditions alive?  We’ve been studying Torah and learning about Judaism for thousands of years.  They teach us values of truth, kindness, compassion and love.  Yet if we look at the world, all we see is lies, cruelty, apathy and violence.  Why hasn’t Judaism really helped us change our lives for the better?”  The rabbi simply remained silent.

As they continued on their stroll they came upon a young boy, dirty and grimy from head to foot.  

Said the rabbi to the soap maker: “What good is the soap you make?  It has been around for years and years, and yet look at this filthy little boy.  Why hasn’t your soap helped to make little boys like him more clean and neat?”

“What do you mean?” the soap maker replied.  “Soap doesn’t do any good unless you use it.”

“Aha!” replied the rabbi. “So it is with Judaism.  Unless we apply the lessons and teachings of our tradition to our daily lives it is of no use.  We can learn, we can study, but if we don’t apply it, then Judaism is as useless as an untouched piece of soap.”  (adapted from “Yom Kippur Readings” edited by Rabbi Dov Peretz Elkins, 2005)  How will you use your Judaism in the New Year?

Elul 6, 5774

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 our apathy. Recalling and recounting our sins as well as our missed opportunities 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)