Elul for Rabbis--the power of words

What does Elul mean to you?  For many Jews, it may escape notice.  Yet for a rabbi, as that first shofar sounds, she/he knows that our most stressful time of year has begun.  As Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel teaches, since palaces in space have been destroyed so often, Jews build "palaces in time": Shabbat, festivals, holy moments.  In order to enjoy, to grow, to live through these moments we need thorough preparation.

For Shabbat, we prepare meals in advance, invite friends and family over, make our reading list and ensure we can get to shul (when we so desire).  For Rosh Hashanah, we do the same, but we also need some spiritual preparation.  We have to do research into our personal histories AND our people's histories.  We have to look back at our choices in the past year and consider how they reflect on us.  How would we do things differently?  What can we do differently next year?

Preparation for the holidays includes evaluation of our lives--it includes evaluation of our speech, of our words.  Are we using our words effectively?  In a crowded media environment, does our communication add positivity or spread hurt?  Do we help or hurt?

For congregational rabbis, this time of year is focused on the power of words.  In this world we may wonder what that power is.  Does a single sermon have a major influence on a congregation in the 21st century?  While I cannot speak for the power of the sermon, the power of words is indisputable.  Words are part of the fabric of our universe.  Words brought this universe into being and words will bring it to its end.  Human words determine the course of world events.  Words determine the course of every relationship--for better and for worse.

Will my sermons change the lives of everyone in my congregation?  I have no such expectation.  What I do expect is that some of my words will resonate with many people and many of my words will resonate with some people.  I pray that they will reach deep into the soul and inspire a life of kedushah, of holiness.  I know it is possible.

Ultimate St Pete: Sitting in a coffee shop/bike store writing while drinking iced tea in a cup with no straw