From the Rabbi - September 2004

Dear Friends,

I recently flew on a short trip to Los Angeles. As I was traveling, I marveled on the elaborate process we all must undergo to get from place to place in our highly mobile society:

• Arrive at the airport as early as possible
• Wait in line to check baggage
• Wait in line to hand over suitcases to an inspector
• Wait in line to ascend the escalator to the departure gate floor
• Wait in line to go through security
• Wait in line at the gate to board
• (This next step applies only to Southwest Airlines) Rush on the plane and desperately search for a seat with a modicum of legroom -  wait for the people in front of us who were smart enough to get in line before us and watch as they take the seats that we wanted
• Deplane and wait in line for luggage
• Collect our luggage and wait in line to have the baggage claim tickets checked

Modern travel has become an exercise in "hurry up and wait." Frequent travelers quickly learn that the only way to deal with constant queuing is to develop the ability to "zone out." This requires achieving a "Zen-like" state of bliss and calm in the midst of madness all about us.

During the month of Elul that precedes the High Holidays, we are all travelers. Unlike the routine of modern travel, however, the journey that we take from the beginning of Elul to the Yamim Noraim (High Holy Days) requires not that we "zone out" but, rather, that we are acutely aware of ourselves and our surroundings.

Elul is a time of preparation -  of Cheshbon Ha-Nefesh -  accounting of our souls. Our tradition teaches that we should not enter into the Yamim Noraim without preparing ourselves physically and spiritually for the experience. Now is a time of accounting for our deeds. We ask difficult questions and examine our relationships with our loved ones, co-workers, neighbors and God. As always, we will find ourselves lacking. This is where Teshuvah comes into play. Teshuvah is usually translated as "repentance," but the literal translation is "returning." Our journey, then, during this sacred time, is a homecoming -  a turning away from self-destructive behaviors and patterns and re-turning to paths of wholeness and holiness. Take time over the next few weeks to re-establish relationships, heal old wounds, ask forgiveness from others, forgive those who come to you, and let those whom you love know just how much you love them.

May you all have safe and rewarding journeys during this sacred time. (And may you find the seats you want during High Holiday services...)

Sue, Elana and Ethan join me in wishing you a Shanah Tovah U'metukah -  a good and sweet new year.

B'shalom,
Rabbi Joseph R. Black

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