4 Weeks of Elul 5766

Once again we have entered into the Hebrew month of Elul - the month preceding the High Holy Days. As many of you know, 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' - involves each of us in a self-examination of 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.

In just a few weeks, we will commemorate the 5th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. This event forced many of us to confront key assumptions about our lives, our society and the meaning of security. As we approach this milestone, it is appropriate, during this time of introspection, to re-affirm the role that our faith and our synagogue can play in our lives.

Over the past several years during the month of Elul I have sent out a series of questions to the Congregation Albert E-mail list. These questions are designed to help us examine our lives in all of the varied aspects and arenas in which we live - Physical, Spiritual, 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. I will be continuing this tradition this year. There will be seven questions in each list - one for every day of the week.

In the past, many of you provided me with excellent feedback and ideas for future questions. I welcome your comments and suggestions. I can be reached by phone (883-1818) or e-mail (). These questions will also be available in hard copy at the Temple Office. If you know of anyone else who might want to receive these lists, contact our list administrator, .

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

Rabbi Joe Black
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Week One: Spiritual Selves

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 illusions 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. What is the status of our relationship with God, Torah, and our own mortality? This is in no way a complete listing - it is just a beginning. Each of us has our own questions that we must pose to ourselves as well. .

Spiritual Selves

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 my parents' values? Of the society in which I live? Of the holiness inside of me?
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?