Shabbat Shuvah

Shabbat Shuvah (instagram link)

Tonight begins Shabbat Shuvah.  This is a special Shabbat, between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  Historically, it was one of two times a year when rabbis gave sermons.  Nowadays, it is a Shabbat when rabbis rarely speak!  

The work of teshuvah continues through Yom Kippur and beyond.  Our sacred journey does not end next week, but continues through our lives.  Each day is an opportunity for growth.

This week I am trying to ensure that I care for my health, as well as my soul.  I am trying to create space for exercise, prayer, meditation, and healthy eating.  Some days are going better than others, but even as I work to ensure that Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah are meaningful and joyous times for our community, I cannot forget to care for myself and my own soul!

What are you doing to care for your soul this week?

Elul 22

We have free choice.  What does that look like for you?

Rambam 7:1 (https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah%2C_Repentance.7.1?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en)

הוֹאִיל וּרְשׁוּת כָּל אָדָם נְתוּנָה לוֹ כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ יִשְׁתַּדֵּל אָדָם לַעֲשׂוֹת תְּשׁוּבָה וּלְהִתְוַדּוֹת בְּפִיו מֵחֲטָאָיו וְלִנְעֹר כַּפָּיו מֵחֲטָאָיו כְּדֵי שֶׁיָּמוּת וְהוּא בַּעַל תְּשׁוּבָה וְיִזְכֶּה לְחַיֵּי הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא:

Since free choice is granted to all men as explained, a person should always strive to do Teshuvah and to confess verbally for his sins, striving to cleanse his hands from sin in order that he may die as a Baal-Teshuvah and merit the life of the world to come.

Teshuvah is not a one day process.  We have to always remember that there is work to do.

At the same time, this does not have to be miserable.  This can actually be joyful.  We can find blessing in this process.  As we work on ourselves, we can find hope and possibility.  Our capacity for growth is endless.