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Written by Rabbi Max Weiman
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The Hebrew calendar is looked at as cycle of spiritual influences. That yearly cycle starts with Tishrei and ends with Elul. Because it starts again next month, Elul has a message, and a focus both in how to end something, and also how to prepare to begin something. It signifies completion and perfection, but in a way that relates to that which is to come. For example, the month, historically, is used as a time of reflection and self-examination on the previous year's activities. We look over the past year as an act of completion and say, "Okay, how did I do? Did I accomplish what you wanted? Did I improve your character? Did I gain more wisdom?" This is also a preparation for the upcoming "Day of Judgment" (Rosh HaShannah). Its prudent to use the time period before the Holy Court convenes to assess one's life, see what needs to be corrected, and make some positive changes or commitments. Elul is ripe for perfecting our character precisely because it leads us up to Rosh HaShannah. |
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Written by Rabbi Max Weiman
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Mankind hangs on the edge of a precipice of despair. The one thing olding us back from falling off is the ability to repair the damage we do to our souls. This ability is a gift from the Almighty that He didn't have to give. Strict justice demands a punishment for a crime, that fits the crime, at the time of the crime. As I overheard a woman saying to her friend in a hotel lobby in the Catskills, 'When I was younger and I broke Shabbos for the first time, I thought a lightening bolt would come out of the sky and kill me" Anyone with the audacity to violate the rules of their infinite Creator deserves immediate judgment. Our world might possibly have looked like this had God created the universe only manifesting the attribute of Justice. |
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Written by Rabbi Max Weiman
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The Hebrew month of Elul is a month dedicated to preparation for Rosh HaShannah and Yom Kippur, the days of judgment and atonement. The modern world is all about quick fix, microwave dinner, instant download. We get impatient when an email from thousands of miles away takes more than ten seconds to arrive. But most meaningful accomplishments take time. And our character is one of the things that takes a while to make a change to.
From the beginning of Elul until Yom Kippur is about 40 days which is the general amount of time it takes to make a significant change. Between now and tomorrow evening is the time to make a plan. Its ideal to have a plan in place by Thursday night for the days ahead.
What could you do during a 40 day period to make yourself a better person? Of course, traditionally there is an assessment of the year to date, what specific wrongs need to be righted, etc. But now is the time to come back to God. What can you do to return to Him.
Be realistic. What can you accomplish in these 40 days? |
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