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.

Seder/Order

In today’s world, when there is so much need for help and repair,  it is hard to prioritise where to put our energies and time. Rabbi Israel Salanter, the founder of Mussar yeshivot in Lithuania, taught that there is an order to healing. 

‘First a person should put his house together, then his (her)  town, then the world.’ (Rabbi Israel Salanter). According to Mussar and the middah (trait) of Order, we begin the work needed in our broken society  by cultivating goodness within ourselves. We may go to demonstrations, write petitions, lobby congresspeople, but ultimately change begins with our own attitudes and behaviour.   We cannot ask others to change if we don’t do it first. Ayurveda yoga agrees with Mussar because it has a saying: When the world is feeling chaotic-- find beauty, healing and order within.    Heal our own rough edges, and we will find the energy and spaciousness to bring healing to others. 

Spiritual Practice
Today, choose one issue of concern to you about our country or world.  It may be climate change, immigration, poverty, race...there are many issues from which to choose.  Once we’ve chosen one, ask ourselves how we can make a change in our own life or behaviour that has to do with the issue.   For example, if we choose the climate emergency, make a change in our own lives that will help, even in a small way. If we choose immigration, seek out an immigrant in our neighborhood or workplace and learn something from them.  
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Today, change ourselves first.  

Elul @ Mishkan Tefila

ELUL Offerings: To Prepare Our Souls for High Holy Days

Silent Supper, RESCHEDULED, date TBD: 

Due to High Holy Day preparation, the Silent Supper is moving to later in the year. Stay tuned for the new date!
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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