There is a freeway exit onto the 55 that gives me terrible agita whenever I approach: it’s a far-left exit that I have to cross over four or five lanes of traffic to reach in about 30 seconds. If there are cars careening down the left-hand lanes, and I cannot cross over, I miss the exit ramp onto the 55 and I am out of luck. I feel that this exit is at a dangerous crossroads: who would design a freeway in such a way that one’s life is in danger just to approach an exit ramp?
I realize this particular freeway is really a metaphor for our lives.
Each and every day, we each travel along our own freeway of life. Each of us does all that we can to ensure we live our lives to the fullest and best of our abilities: we eat right, exercise, nurture our minds and spirits, engage in warm and loving relationships with family and friends, and do all of those other “good things.” We never know what might come careening suddenly down the road beside us: will it be some unexpected wildfire? Another round of explosive antisemitism on our college campuses or home communities? Personal illness or loss of a beloved family member or friend? Or something else for which we cannot possibly be prepared?
How do we safely navigate these unforeseen obstacles that enter the paths of our life’s journey like the cars that come zipping down the freeway, since some things are simply out of our control.
The upcoming Ya’mim Nora’im – the High Holy Days, and the Hebrew month of Elul preceding them, help give us the tools so that we can chart our course and re-direct our life’s journey if we so need. We might not be able to control what happens, but we are able to find strength and support from within ourselves, from our community and from God.
Elul begins Tuesday evening, September 3rd. Traditionally, Elul is dedicated to studying and preparing for the necessary work of “repairing our souls”. This is not a once-a-year endeavor. The High Holy Days make us stop and take notice of the frailty of life. They remind us that we are on a journey. We learn that if we take the time to transform ourselves throughout the year – through reflection, prayer, study, acts of tikkun olam (repairing the world) and repentance, we will be prepared to enter that “danger-filled metaphorical crossroads” of life.
There are many ways to use this upcoming month to begin to prepare. Here are just a few ideas to help begin this process:
· Join with our congregational community for Shabbat worship every week. On Saturday evening, September 28th, join with us for our annual Selichot evening of study and prayer at 7:00 PM (see below). The power of community, prayer and music has the ability to nurture and transform one’s spirit and soul.
· Subscribe to Craig Taubman’s “Jewels of Elul”. These are short, inspirational insights on the theme of the upcoming High Holy Days written by different people, both well-known and not-so-well known.
· Read Temple Beth Sholom’s “Echos of Elul: Inspirations” beginning on Wednesday (see below for more info).
· Do some preparatory background reading. A few suggestions:
Enter These Gates: Meditations for the Days of Awe, Alden Solovy, CCAR Press, 2024.
This is Real and You are Completely Unprepared: The Days of Awe as a Journey of Transformation, Alan Lew, Little, Brown and Co., 2003.
Saying No and Letting Go: Jewish Wisdom on Making Room for What Matters Most, Rabbi Edwin Goldberg, Jewish Lights Publishing, 2013.
Rosh Hashanah (or/and) Yom Kippur Inspiration, Contemplation, edited by Rabbi Dov Peretz Elkins, Jewish Lights Publishing.
Each of us will encounter many intersections, crossroads and metaphoric “careening cars” in the journey of our own lives. The obstacles we encounter will seem less daunting and the more secure we will feel, the more prepared we are.
“K’tivah v’chatimah tovah –May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year. ” |
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