Welcome to this online Elul spirituality retreat, written by Rabbi Marcia Plumb and sponsored by Congregation Mishkan Tefila. Every day during the month of Elul, you will receive a ‘Word to Live By’. The words will be in alphabetical order, similar to the Ashamnu prayer during the Yamim Noraim. The Ashamnu lists our sins from the past, but our Elul words contain hope for the future.
You can use the word, and the teaching that comes with it, to set an intention for your day, to help you live your day based on the word. You may want to share it with a friend, who has need of just that word. You may be busy, and simply notice the word in the subject heading, then, skip to the next email….and that is fine too. Noticing can be enough.
At the end of the month, at Rosh Hashanah, I hope, because of our Words, our hearts will be softer, our minds more open to new ways of thinking, and our actions more compassionate.
With prayers for healing and renewal, Rabbi Marcia Plumb, Congregation Mishkan Tefila, Brookline MA
Btzelem Elohim-In the Image of God
Btzelem Elohim is one of the six middot Congregation Mishkan Tefila chose to guide our community. Btzelem Elohim comes from Genesis, which tells us that we are all created in the image of God. This means that all creatures are imbued with God’s presence. One of my favourite Shacharit (morning) prayers, Elohai Neshamah, tells us that God is a ‘fastcharger’ of souls. At night, God takes our souls, recharges them, and breaths them back into us in the morning, all newly ready to go for a fresh day. A bit of the Divine Breath fills all our lungs.
Btzelem Elohim implies radical connectivity between all creatures. We are all God’s children. We are one family whether we like it or not. We have no choice but to see each person as our literal brother or sister, whom God loves.
Spiritual Practice Today, see every person we encounter, on the street, at work, at classes, as our sibling, with divinity within. Move past our automatic visual perception of gender, colour, and clothing, and see the soul inside. Today, notice how our perceptions, attitudes and behaviours change when we see God in each other.
Elul @ Mishkan Tefila
ELUL Offerings: To Prepare Our Souls for High Holy Days
Silent Supper, September 17: An opportunity for reflection, refreshments,and renewal led by Rabbi Plumb. Registerhere . · Teshuvah Workshops hosted by CMT, led by Rabbi David Jaffe, incorporating Mussar and Spirituality. Mishkan Tefila members should click here to register.
Mussar @ Mishkan Tefila
Congregation Mishkan Tefila 384 Harvard St. Brookline, MA 02446
