Reb Lisa's Message
August 11, 2021
Elul Is Upon Us!
Elul - It’s a most wonderful time of the year! The Hebrew month of Elul began on Sunday. This means several things:
There is a new-ish moon in the night sky!
This moon will wax and wane, and when the new monexton arrives, it will be erev Rosh Hashanah. (Monday, September 6th).
We blow the shofar everyday of Elul (except Shabbat) to wake ourselves up from the rote patterns we have inevitably fallen into over the past year.
We spend the month engaged in a practice known as Cheshbon HaNefesh-- turning inward, reviewing the past year, doing an accounting of our souls, and making necessary repairs in our relationships (Teshuvah).
We prepare ourselves for the potential and transformation the new year can bring.
We begin to say good-bye to the Jewish year 5781, and prepare to greet 5782.
The month of Elul is a potent time of year. I encourage you to engage in meaningful, soul stretching experiences during the month.
Here are a few ways to engage during Elul:
Listen to the shofar! We’ll be blowing the shofar in the backyard at CBI, everyday of Elul (except Shabbat). You can also catch this live, or afterward, on Facebook. You can also LISTEN HERE!
Follow my Elul Tools Blog, for a daily dose of inspiration every day of Elul.
Check out Elul Unbound from our friends at Judaism Unbound.
Join Rabbi Julie for an online gathering entitled Let Nature Guide You Into A New Year.
Read Psalm 27. It is traditional to read this Psalm everyday of Elul.
Begin greeting each other with L’shanah Tovah!