Elul gets our souls ‘warmed up’ to start fresh for the New Year.
For Elul this year, I am pleased to share with you words from some of my favorite teachers from whom I have learned a great deal over the years. Some may be familiar and some may be new to you. I will bring you selections from the Sfat Emet, Henry David Thoreau, Rabbi Jonathan Slater and more plus my commentary on them. I welcome your thoughts.
Please share brief teachings from your favourites. If you have a special text, verse, poem, or prose that has influenced you during your life, please send it to me at rabbiplumb@mishkantefila.org .
Praying with our Body
According to Jewish mystical thought, there are always four angels that accompany us all the time.
They are Gabriel (angel of strength, who gives us strength when we need it),
Uriel (angel of light, who lights our path ahead),
Michael (angel of wonders, who helps us live in awe),
and Raphael (angel of healing). This pose helps us remember that they are there, ready to help us move forward, heal, and see blessings.
A posture for the day: Hallelujah Hands
Stand straight with your feet solidly flat on the ground and your arms and hands by your side. Root your feet into the floor. As you inhale, gently stretch out your arms to about hip height (this is called Hallelujah hands).
Swing your arms and hips from side to side, as your arms gently swing in front and behind you, or from side to side.
Breath slowly and gently as you sway your arms. Feel your arms touching each angel as they move. Be aware of strength to your right, awe and wonder to your left, light ahead and healing behind you.
A sitting chair pose modification: Place your right hand on your right hip and extend your left arm out to the side, then up overhead.
Inhale as you lengthen your spine. Exhale as you side bend gently to the right. Switch sides.
