Elul: A Month of Preparation and Renewal
As summer fades into fall, Jewish tradition invites us to turn inward each year. The month of Elul, which precedes the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, is dedicated to preparation. This preparation is meant to help us fully experience the ensuing holidays.
During Elul, introspection is paramount. We reflect on our identities and ambitions. The vital question is: Whose forgiveness do we seek to start the new year afresh?
To aid in our self-reflection, Jewish tradition incorporates several rituals. The shofar's daily call rouses us from stagnation, and the added selichot prayers, penitential in nature, amplify our commitment to change. Selichot, meaning "forgiveness," are recited in the lead-up to the High Holy Days. Their litanies echo themes of confession, repentance, and the plea for divine mercy, acting as reminders of our human frailties and our sincere need for God's forgiveness. To further grasp the depth of these rituals, consider the Selichot: penitential prayers and hymns recited before and during the Ten Days of Repentance. At their core are the confession of sins (vidui) and the recitation of God's thirteen attributes of mercy (Exodus 34:6-7).
Crucially, Elul emphasizes communal support. We assist one another in both seeking and granting forgiveness, ensuring our hearts remain open and receptive. This introspection is known as Heshbon Hanefesh—an accounting of the soul. Hesbon Hanefesh offers a structured opportunity to examine what is holding us back and keeps us from being who we really want to be. Heshbon Hanefesh serves as a mirror, reflecting the barriers that keep us from our true selves. If we use the period of Elul to take concrete steps towards becoming advocates for change, together, we can make a difference! By engaging in this process, we prepare spiritually for the High Holidays—a season devoted to reflection and repentance. If we harness the spirit of Elul together as a community, we can effect significant change.
Another profound practice during Elul is the daily recitation of Psalm 27. This Psalm embodies a soul's longing to be closer to the Divine. With its beginning lines emphasizing trust in God and culminating with a heartfelt desire to dwell in God's presence, it underscores our spiritual aspirations and relationship with God. The words,
Achat Sha'alti me'eit Adonai, otah avakeish; shivti b'veit Adonai kol y'mei chayai, lachazot b'noam Adonai ulvakeir b'heichalo, translate to "One thing I ask of Adonai, for this do I yearn: to dwell in the house of Adonai all the days of my life, to see the goodness of Adonai and to visit God's sanctuary.
By the month's end, we're encouraged to stand at the New Year's threshold, declaring, "Hineni — Here I am." This affirmation of our presence and commitment to our community, the world, and ourselves leads seamlessly into the core teachings of our tradition.
This week's Torah portion, Shoftim (judges), serves as a profound reminder. Highlighted by the repetition in Deuteronomy 16:20, "Tzedek tzedek tirdof" (Justice, justice shall you pursue), it commands our attention. The significance of this repeated call for justice underscores its fundamental importance. The Torah isn't merely suggesting justice—it demands it for ourselves and others. The Parsha provides guidelines for tribal judges, emphasizing the importance of impartiality and integrity. These ancient directives underscore the wisdom of our ancestors, who envisaged a society built on the relentless pursuit of justice; they were wise enough to say any society we create must be grounded on the continuous pursuit of justice. They knew that justice was a condition for us to live in a society and realized that fairness was necessary for a civilized society. Our ancestors founded an entire system that would ensure justice for all; a society where people can live in communities with a sense of security and know that they will be treated fairly and honestly. The Torah teaches us the values of a Jewish civilization and tells us to create a society based on compassion, fairness, and justice for all. Through the Torah, we learn about our past and are guided towards constructing a future anchored in compassion, fairness, and justice.
In the spirit of Elul, let us continually strive to grow, reflect, and ensure our actions align with the teachings of our tradition, not just during this introspective period but throughout our lives.
This Morning I started an Elul playlist. The playlist will include songs that fit the themes of the month of Elul, such as forgiveness, hope, renewal and repentance so if you can think of one, let me know in the comments section and they don’t have to be “Jewish” songs
“Closing Time” by Semisonic
“every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”
Forgive Me by the Mavericks. Mercy by Po’Girl. New Year’s Resolution by Otis Redding and Carla Thomas.