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
Enthusiasm/Zerizut
I know a young man named Marc who is a master weaver. He makes amazing items with intricate patterns he designs himself. Several people have asked,’ When will you start selling these?’ Marc would like to create a business with his weaving, but has come up with many reasons why it won’t work. He doesn’t know how to sell online; he can’t take high quality photos to post; what if he can’t keep up with the eventual demand? He continues to put off starting the business because he has created too many imaginary walls that block him.
He needs Zerizut—Enthusiasm. Zerizut is the middah/ inner trait that helps us break down our fears of failure and insecurities. When we are afraid to try, or can’t see a way through the brambles of our concerns, we draw upon Zerizut to give us the courage to take one step at a time, and try. We may not succeed right away. We may fail spectacularly. But zerizut is there to help us try again. It is the motivation to ‘get back up on the horse.’
The Duomo in Florence was built one brick at a time. Imagine if people never had started it because they knew it would be hard and take a long time?
Spiritual Practice Today, notice when fear or insecurity comes up and leads us to question ourselves or put off a goal. When that happens, think of zerizut, and take the first small step needed to achieve the goal. Let zerizut clear our way through the discomfort. Choose to move forward.
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
