It is Rosh Hodesh Elul, the first day of the month of reflection that ends each year. In olden days, the shofar blower would wake everyone up with a loud blast each morning, reminding them that the Days of Awe were approaching.
Thinking through and evaluating where we have been is critical to understanding how we want to grow. Judaism asks us to think – all year around, of course – about how to become the mensches we want to be.
According to tradition, Rosh Hodesh Elul marks the beginning of a special forty-day period. Those forty days began with Moses returning to Mount Sinai after the Golden Calf incident to pray for forgiveness for his people. It ended on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. God answered Moses’ prayers by giving him the task of creating the second set of tablets to bring back to the Israelites, commandments which are the foundation of the mitzvot listed below.
Our liturgical year sets aside the month of Elul for concentrated spiritual and emotional housecleaning. With that task in mind, I invite you all to consider what it means to “do the mitzvot” during this month. Which mitzvah you be interested in taking on? Which have you successfully integrated into your daily, weekly, or monthly practices?
This very morning, one of our congregants (I am not overstating) saved a person’s life. Pikuach nefesh (doing what it takes to save someone’s life) is one of the mitzvot listed below.
Opportunities to become better persons present themselves daily for each and every one of us. Let’s keep that in mind as we take our first steps towards a wonderful new year.
B’shalom.
Bal Tash-hit – Living with environmental consciousness.
Shalom Bayit – Adopting ways that yield greater peace at home.
Shmirat Haguf – Treating your body as sacred space; good food and care.
V’hadarta P’nei zaken – Honoring the experience and needs of senior citizens.
Shmira Lashon – Speaking ethically, guarding against gossip and slander.
Tza’ar Baalei Chayyim – Preventing cruelty to living things.
Ma-ah-chil R’evim – Feeding the hungry.
Yizkor – Remembering those who have died whom you knew.
Ezrat Cholim – Helping those who are ill.
Kashrut – Being conscious of eating, food production, and preparation.
Heshbon HaNefesh – Reflecting on one’s deeds errors, seeking insight.
Kibbud av v’em – Giving honor to living parents.
G’nivat data – Promoting truth in advertising.
Mezuzah – Marking your home and work place as sacred place.
Pikuach nefesh – Doing what it takes to save someone’s life.
Hachnassat orchim – Treating all those around you as your guests.
Shabbat – Connecting with loved ones, community, and God one day each week without
work and with sweet rituals.
Minyan – Showing up to create Jewish community.
Tefillah – Keeping a rhythm of expressing the prayer of your heart.
Limud – Torah Using Torah as a prism for growth and awareness.
Teshuvah – Working honestly with hurts to heal a relationship.
Hadlakat Ney-rote – Welcoming Shabbat with candle-light and blessings.
Al tifrosh Min haTzibor – Not separating yourself from the community.
