Rabbi's Blog

Day 28 Elul

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 .  

Poetry for the Soul

The Head of the Year  By Marge Piercy

The moon is dark tonight, a new moon for a new year. 
It is hollow and hungers to be full.
It is the black zero of beginning.

Now you must void yourself of injuries, insults, incursions.

Go with empty hands to those you have hurt and make amends.
It is not too late.  It is early
And about to grow. 
Now is the time to do what you 
Know you must and have feared

To begin. 
Your face is dark too, as you turn inward to face
Yourself, the hidden twin of all you must grow to be.

Forgive the dead year
Forgive Yourself.
What will be wants to push through your fingers.

The light you seek hides
In your belly. 
The light you crave longs to stream from your eyes.  

You are the moon
​​​​​​​
That will wax in new goodness.