Rabbi's Blog

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Words to Live By

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.

Now

Some of us live in the past, looking back and ruminating about what has happened in our lives.  I knew a lovely woman in her 70’s whose son died when he was young. It was a terrible tragedy.  She was healthy, smart, had many good friends and an active life. But all she wanted, and all she talked about, was dying so she could be with her son again.  That was all she had ever wanted in her life. 

Some of us live in the future, worrying about what might happen later today, or next week.  We spend a lot of energy becoming stressed about things in the future which have happened only in our imaginations.  I was in a major traffic jam on the way to catch a plane, and the friend I was talking to said, ‘We should stop talking, you must be so stressed.’  I could have ended the pleasant chat I was having, in order to worry about what might happen if I missed my flight. I could have gotten anxious and upset all the way to the airport.  I chose to focus on the present, and enjoy the conversation with my friend. Worrying about the traffic and the flight would do nothing except make me upset. It would not get me there sooner.  It would only lose me the chance to connect with my friend.

The healthiest, calmest spiritual place to be is in the present.  In the Now. Appreciate this moment, right now. It is the only moment that truly exists. 


Spiritual Practice
​​​​​​​Today, if we see ourselves drift into living in the past, or the future, pull ourselves back to the present moment.  Notice the birdsong, the people we are with at the moment, the miracles around us right Now. 

Elul @ Mishkan Tefila

ELUL Offerings: To Prepare Our Souls for High Holy Days

Silent Supper, September 17:  Silent Supper

All Congregants and Guests Are Welcome

Using texts and 20 minutes of silent reflection on our eating, we will practice paying attention to what goes in our mouths (food) and what comes out (positive or negative language).  After our text study and 20 minutes of silence, we will enjoy a lively (chatty) meal together.  Register here .
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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