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
Donating to Good Causes/Nedivut
“Our Sages of blessed memory have stated that the trait of nedivut/generosity resides in habit. One is not called generous until one becomes accustomed to giving, in every time and season, and according to one's ability.’ Orchot Hatzadikim According to the Mussar teaching in the classic text, Orchot Hatzadikim, nedivut, Generosity, comes from habit. Which do you think is better, to give one donation of $1,000 or give $1.00 to 1, 000 people? Orchot Hatzadikim would say, give the $1.00 to 1000 people. $1000.00 would probably help a person more than $1.00 would, but one of the goals of Nedivut is to create a habit of giving within us. Giving one dollar over and over and over again, to one thousand people, would make giving part of our daily routine. If we give occasionally or only when asked, then we might give grudgingly and rarely. A habit of giving, on the other hand, makes generosity part of our normal behaviour.
Spiritual Practice Today, keep change in your pocket so you can give a coin or two to every person who asks for help. Give happily without judgement. Give with a smile
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
