Shabbat Parashat Shoftim
Elul Reflections
August 18, 2018 – 7 Elul 5778
Dear Friends,
The Jewish month of Elul gives us time to prepare our souls for the High Holy Days. During this month, we hear the sounds of the Shofar daily toward the end of weekday morning services. Throughout the month, on both weekdays and on Shabbatot, we recite the Penitential Psalm [Psalm 27] twice a day. Hearing the sound of the Shofar and reading Psalm 27 helps us to gear up toward the High Holy Days, enabling us to get the most out of the observance of Rosh HaShana and of Yom Kippur.
Elul reflections allow us to delve into the ever-evolving meaning of our lives. They invite us to begin an annual exploration of our spiritual state in light of events and changes that have touched our lives since last year’s Holy Days.
I hope you will enjoy the following Elul reflection, forwarded to me by Rabbi Amy Levin and written by Rabbi Gerald Wolpe:
“Hineni: Send Me
Someone once cried to God: Adonai, the world is in such a mess–everything seems wrong. Why don’t You send someone to help and change the world?
The voice of Adonai replied: I did send someone. I sent you!
We pray for life–we ask God for a year of health and happiness. We cannot merely ask.
Tell the Almighty–tell the world–tell yourself:
Send me! Hineni, here I am! Shlacheini, send me!”
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Gilah Dror
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