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.
Zeal/ Zerizut The Midrash says that in the heavens each blade of grass has an angel appointed to it that strikes the blade and says, “grow!” (Bereishit Rabbah 10:6) Sometimes (or maybe every time!) we need something or someone to “strike us” in order to grow. Imagine if we had our own angel that nudges us to grow spiritually. The High Holy Days acts as our angel. The liturgy and focus on forgiveness makes us aware of the ways we need to shift our thoughts and behaviour.
I’m a fan of a bit of guilt—not too much, but just enough. A little guilt goes a long way. It makes us uncomfortable, which can motivate us to do better next time.
Zerizut needs unease. Thank G!d for feeling disturbed or unsettled. Without it we would do nothing. We would accept everything as it is without looking deeper or responding. Don’t wish for comfort or ease. Wish for a gentle nudge to grow. Then forgiveness to water our souls.
Spiritual Practice
Today, notice what we feel guilty about. Is it guilt that will help or hinder our growth? It is a gentle nudge in the right direction, or an overwhelming wave that drowns us? Choose one thing about which we feel guilty, and do something to repair the damage we might have done. Then forgive ourselves.
Mussar @ Mishkan Tefila
Congregation Mishkan Tefila 384 Harvard St. Brookline, MA 02446
