Elul

Elul is the last month of the Jewish year, the month leading into Rosh Hashanah. Over time, it has become a time of cheshbon hanefesh, taking account of the soul, as we consider who we are and who we want to become. We engage with the mistakes of the past year, preparing to seek forgiveness from God and from our friends, family, and community. We dream about who we might be in the year to come, strengthening moral commitments and making firm resolutions.

Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi compared the calendar to the schedule of the King. Most of the time, the King is in the palace, difficult to reach and generally accessible only through intermediaries. During the month of Elul, however, the King comes out to the field to meet the people. In this month that we seek to prepare ourselves to meet God, God is already coming to meet us. Our own voices and prayers are more than enough – no intermediaries required.

During this upcoming month of Elul, on the secular calendar from August 21 through September 18, Temple Emanu-El will be taking the opportunity that Elul affords us to think about the year to come. Every morning, we will go live on Facebook with some brief thoughts for the day, a chance to engage with others on some communal questions, and the blowing of the shofar. It is our hope that this will be a moment of much-needed spiritual engagement in a difficult year.

We want to hear your voices! If you would like to lead a day of Elul, please contact Samara Schwartz, DYLE, at sschwartz@tewnj.org, who will happily provide themes, readings, and technical support.