The Rhythm of Change
For days now, my family and I have woken to the sound of raindrops dancing on the roof. Their joyful rhythm gently reminds us that a time of change is approaching. Soon, the sunflowers in the backyard, now standing tall and reaching for the sun, will bow their heads in reverence to the earth’s natural cycle.
The leaves on the tall oak trees will turn shades of red, gold, and brown before falling to the ground in a perfectly timed waltz, a celebratory dance of the changing seasons.
The Month of Elul
As the earth moves to the rhythm of change, so must we. In the Jewish community, this is when the dance begins. We move to reflect, forgive, spiritually renew, and return to G-d (repent) in preparation for the High Holy Days.
Each year, I eagerly anticipate the arrival of Elul. It’s a time dedicated to taking stock of the past year and looking at what worked and what didn’t. I ask myself questions like: Who have I not forgiven, and who do I need to ask for forgiveness? What memories from the past must I finally let go of? What mistakes have I made? What things did I do right? How can I improve my spiritual journey?
Personal Reflections
Just as the seasons have changed over the past year, so have the seasons of my life. I went from being a student of Judaism to a practicing Jew, a commitment not to be taken lightly. Despite this commitment to my faith, I know there were times when I faltered. When life became hectic, I gave in to the chaos, and I placed my Jewish community on the back burner. I temporarily set aside things like prayer and study.
Nevertheless, we are all human, and G-d knows there are times when we will fall. It’s more about how we pick ourselves up and come back even stronger. This year, I plan to build a stronger connection with my Jewish brothers and sisters and to hold on to my faith even tighter when the chaos sets in.
We have also committed ourselves to avoiding negative thoughts and speech. A task that is much easier when things are going well. Sometimes when I feel someone has wronged me, I stew about it for a while. This year, I will work to make a change. Instead of giving in to the temptation to dwell on negative thoughts, I will choose to take a breath, then study Torah, pray, and think positively.
“One thing I ask of Hashem, that I seek: to live in the house of Hashem all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of Hashem, to frequent His temple” (Psalm 27:4)
During my first Elul as a Jew, I have enjoyed the customs that accompany this time of renewal and reflection. Reciting Psalms 27 each morning underscores my commitment to G-d and to spiritual growth during the upcoming year. The recitation has become part of my morning routine.
Another custom that I enjoy is the blowing of the Shofar each weekday morning during Elul. The sound of the Shofar blasting is a call to accountability and repentance. Whenever possible, try to attend my local synagogue or listen online in the morning.
Just as summer gently gives way to fall, we must leave behind another year and embrace a new one through reflection, repentance, and renewal. I hope that you have a wonderfully spectacular 5786! L’Shanah Tovah Tikatevu and Shalom, friends!
I would love to hear about your faith journey. Please feel free to contact me on my social media accounts!
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