4 Weeks of Elul - 5764

Tomorrow, August 18th, 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 conflict and divisions. Our nation finds itself embroiled in a war that we had hoped would bring about change in the Middle East. A year ago, we had hopes that the fighting would soon be over and that the rebuilding of Iraq and her neighbors would become a catalyst for major reforms. Unfortunately, it would appear that any changes in the region will be slow in coming. In the meantime, we see a growing hatred of America, its leadership and values. Israel is finding itself increasingly isolated. Anti-Semitism is on the rise around the world. We are about to enter into a Presidential election that, as of this writing, appears to be intensifying the political divisions within our nation.

At home, we have suffered personal losses and setbacks. We have had to say goodbye to those whom we loved. Families have been broken and hopes have been crushed.

And yet, there have been moments of supreme joy this past year as well – for each of us as individuals and as a nation and a community. Here at Congregation Albert, we are almost finished with the building of our new Adult Lounge and our offices will be re-furbished in time for the High Holy Days. Cantor Finn and her husband, David, have joined our congregational family and we are thrilled with the many wonderful gifts they have brought to our community. We have shared simchas and rejoiced together.

As we reflect back over the past year, it is important that we put every aspect of our lives into perspective. 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 in to 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 use. Note that all of these materials will also be available in hard copy at the Temple Office and on the Congregation Albert 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, .

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

Rabbi Joe Black
 

As we enter the month of Elul, we must examine our spiritual lives. Spirituality is one of those words that mean 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 is 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. 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 in 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@CongregationAlbert.org