4 Weeks of Elul - 5763

On Friday, August 29th, we welcome the Hebrew month of Elul – the month preceding the High Holy Days. During the month of Elul, it is traditional to begin intensive personal preparations for the New Year. This process, called Cheshbon Ha-Nefesh – 'an inventory of our souls' – requires that each of us engage in a process of self–examination. We need to look closely at our relationships, thoughts, deeds, fears and dreams. We do this so that we can enter into the Yamim Noraim – the Days of Awe – spiritually and personally refreshed and prepared. This is the time when our tradition teaches that we need to ask those around us whom we have wronged to forgive us for our actions. We are also commanded to forgive those who ask us as well.

This past year has been filled with difficult times – for our nation, our economy, our congregation and, for many of us – our personal lives as well. We have seen soldiers go to war – some children from our own congregation. We have witnessed the unleashing of Terror in Israel and around the globe. And yet, there have also been moments of wonder and joy as well. Each of us has an opportunity to look back over the past 12 months and reflect on how the experiences of the year have had an impact on our lives in both a positive and a negative fashion.

Over the past years, during the month of Elul I have utilized the Congregation Albert E-mail list to send out lists of questions. These questions are designed to help us examine our lives in all of the varied aspects and arenas in which we live - Spiritual Physical, Interpersonal and Communal - and ask ourselves difficult questions as to whether we are truly prepared to enter into the New Year. Again, the purpose of these questions is not to make us feel bad or unworthy, but rather to "nudge" us into looking at these vitally important aspects of our lives. There will be seven questions in each list – one for every day of the week.

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions for additional questions and formats that we can used. Note that all of these materials will also be available in hard copy at the Temple Office and are posted on our web site. If you know of anyone else who might want to receive these mailings – whether or not they are members of the congregation, contact our list administrator, Shelly Liebman at SLiebman@LSMarketing.com.

L'shanah Tovah U'metukah – May you have a good and sweet new year,

Rabbi Joe Black

Week One: Spiritual Selves

As we enter the month of Elul, we must examine our spiritual lives. Spirituality is one of those words that means different things to different people. For the purposes of this list of questions, I want you to focus on Spirituality as referring to those aspects of your life that help you to feel connected to something greater than yourself. We grow spiritually when we feel that our lives have meaning and purpose and that we are part of a Divine Plan. The liturgy of the Yamim Noraim – the Days of Awe – are filled with the language of God's judgment. Rather than perceive this as a negative or punitive light, try to imagine that we are being judged for the way that we fulfill the spiritual potential that God has given us.

This week's questions deal with our Spiritual Selves. The news of the past week is filled with images of the intersection of Religion and politics. We have seen Americans protesting the removal of a monument to the 10 commandments. We have seen Hindus and Muslims rioting in India. We have seen politicians and pundits arguing over the nature of God's presence in our lives. True spirituality comes not merely from Dogma and debate – but rather from the act of contemplation of difficult existential realities. During this time of Chesbon Ha-Nefesh, one of our tasks is to examine the status of our relationship with God, Torah, and our own mortality. As always, the following questions should not be perceived as a complete listing – they are merely a beginning. Each of us has our own questions that we must pose to ourselves as well.

QUESTIONS – WEEK ONE

1. Over the past year have I taken advantage of enough opportunities to study Torah and increase my knowledge of my heritage?

2. How are the words that I speak and the actions that I take a reflection of my highest values?

3. When/where was the last time I felt close to God?

4. What aspects of my personality are a reflection of the values that I have inherited from my family? From society? From Popular culture? From my own inner holiness?

5. If I were to be told that I had only one more day to live, how would I spend it and with whom?

6. Have I been able to forgive myself for past mistakes for which others have already forgiven me?

7. If I were put in the position of explaining my beliefs to others, would I feel comfortable in doing so?

May you utilize these questions to help you gain a better understanding of your spiritual selves.

L'Shanah Tovah,

Rabbi Joseph R. Black
Email: Rabbi_at_ca