The month of Elul begins on August 9th. As I mentioned in an earlier shabbat message Elul is a time for us to get our souls ready for the Yamim Noraim (the days of awe). One practice that I have employed to prepare myself for the holidays over the last few years is to sign up for Jewels of Elul.
Jewels of Elul “… is a collection of short inspirational insights from both well-known and under-the-radar personalities who influence our global community. Whether in song, video or written word, Jewels provide a moment to reflect on our past, present and future… During the 29 days leading up to the Jewish Holy Days, when the tradition is to search our hearts and create opportunities for growth and discovery”.
If you are interested in joining me on this jewel encrusted journey to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur you can sign up at: https://www.jewelsofelul.com/receive-a-jewel-a-day/
Here are two past Jewels to get you started:
Rabbi Ed Feinstein
Write a letter.
Address it to those you love. Put into this letter everything life has taught you: What you learned from childhood, your education. What you learned from marriage and raising children. What you learned from work, from your triumphs and from your failures. What you learned from the death of loved ones, and the path of mourning. What is the meaning, lesson, wisdom of your life? What’s your message? Do this for three reasons: Do it for yourself. You deserve to know what life has taught you. According to a Jewish tradition, each human soul carries into the world one letter, one byte, of God’s message. You are a vessel of God’s truth. Have you discovered and delivered your message? Write the letter for your loved ones. No one lives forever. And when your time comes, what a gift it would be to your loved ones to hear your voice, to know your wisdom.
Do it for your soul. Modernity has brought us many gifts. But one of the casualties of modernity is contemplation. Our ancestors lived in a much slower world, with time to think and dream. So we live exhausted from day to day, from appointment to project to vacation and back again, without ever stopping to wonder why, without the chance to grow in wisdom. Without connection to the truth within, the spirit grows old, the soul grows tired. No one is old who knows the truth of his or her existence, the purposes of life.
Write the letter.
Ed Feinstein is the rabbi of Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, California, and a lecturer at the American Jewish University. www.vbs.org
Joanne Fink
Each step of our journey leaves an indelible mark on our souls.
The challenges you have been facing have forced you to grow in ways you
might never have imagined.
Before everything changed…
Before the curveball rocked your world.
Before your life veered unexpectedly towards an unknown destination.
Before you became so weary that you weren’t sure you could take another step. Before you began to open your heart to possibility.
Before you discovered that love makes the journey worthwhile.
And now, you stand here: at the crossroads of your old life
and the person you are becoming.
Celebrate the opportunity to re-envision your life’s purpose
The time will come for your soul to soar.
Transition leads to transformation,
and you are on the path to wholeness.
Joanne Fink, an award‑winning designer, calligrapher, and author. www.zenspirations.com
I hope you enjoy this journey and find it meaningful. Shabbat Shalom!
