Rabbi Howard Morrison

This coming Sunday and Monday, we will usher in the new Hebrew month of Elul. A month of introspection, each day we will hear the sounds of the shofar as a spiritual wakeup call in advance of the new year. In addition, we will add Psalm 27, "The Lord is my light and my salvation," to the daily liturgy. 

Elul is an acronym which stands for many expressions in our tradition. Perhaps the most well-known is "Ani L'Dodi V' Dodi Li - I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine." This expression from the biblical book Song of Songs speaks of the closeness between love partners and between God and the Jewish people, also a relationship of love. In both instances, the foundation of the relationship is based on mutual care, respect, and understanding.

Now is the time of year to be fully introspective - to look within, examine our faults, and make amends with people we may have wronged and in our relationship with God and the Jewish way of life.

I wish us all Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh Tov,

Rabbi Howard Morrison