Four Weeks of Elul 5767

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.

Over the past years during the month of Elul I have sent out a series of questions to our members. 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.

Week One: Spiritual Selves

Entering into Elul provides us with a window into our spiritual selves. Spirituality is one of those words that mean different things to different people. For now, 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. We can experience spirituality in many ways: through our families, our community, through nature, prayer and study, through our work and our hobbies - whatever helps us to find our place in this rapidly expanding and shrinking world. With this in mind, I pose these questions:

Spiritual Selves

1. How many times, over the course of the past year, did I take advantage of opportunities to reflect on those aspects of my life that connect me to something greater than myself?
2. How are the words that I speak and the actions that I take a reflection of my highest values?
3. Have I shared my values with those closest to me?
4. When/where was the last time I felt close to God?
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?

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.

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 (). In addition to the e-mails I will send out, 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,