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
During Elul, we have the chance to reflect on what is tight within our souls, minds and hearts. To help us remember what negativity, resentments, and guilt bind us and hold us back from inner health, we do a posture today that tightens and releases our muscles. We use the physical to loosen our souls.
O High and Hidden One, give me a window To see what is hiding deep in my body’s memory Like a kaleidoscope of colours I see and release As I breathe and strength, opening and discovering Peeling away the layers, fathoming my ability To relinquish what is binding me. I am free. Yoga Shalom by Lisa Levine and Carol Krucoff A posture for the day: Stretch and Release Lie on your back on your mat or rug. Bend your right knee, keeping your right foot on the floor. Lift your left leg straight up. Hold your leg up with your hands behind your thigh. Flex your left foot up and down 5 times Bring your left leg down to the floor, bend your left knee and put your left foot flat on the floor. Bring your right leg straight up. Hold your leg up with your hands behind your thigh. Flex your right foot up and down 5 times. Feel the flex and stretch in both your legs and your feet.
If you prefer, sit in a chair, and bring one ankle to rest on top of the opposite knee. Feel the stretch in your hip, thigh and calf. Release your leg and switch to the other leg. Bring the other ankle to rest on top of the opposite knee. Repeat the stretch.
