We approach the High Holy Days during the Hebrew month of Elul. ELUL is referred to as an acronym for Ani L’Dodi V’Dodi Li (Song of Songs 6:3) “I am drawn to my Beloved and my Beloved is drawn to me.” And so we begin with love as the foundation and container of the hard work of teshuvah, aligning our actions with our values.
Here are three invitations, three moments, to learn and reflect in community with Rabbi Debra Rappaport. Each one stands alone; each speaks to a different big question of the season. Each session support participants in preparing our hearts to arrive at the High Holy Days with clear(er) intentions. The focus is on text-based reflection (in English), so the sessions will be inclusive of all, regardless of Jewish background. Please rsvp to attend HERE.
Thursday, September 15: 7:00 – 8:15 pm Turning inward, Teshuvah (turning, returning)
How can the teachings of the season support our cheshbon ha-nefesh (taking an account of the state of our souls) and our teshuvah (making reparations and returning to our highest selves)?
Thursday, September 22: 7:00 – 8:15 Reaching outward, Din V’Rachamim (Justice/Judgment & Mercy/Compassion)
What are the implications of the Rosh Hashanah image of a heavenly court in which perfect justice is weighed against compassion and forgiveness?
Thursday, September 29: 7:00 – 8:15 Confessing together, Al Chet
By Yom Kippur, we are to have made amends with those whom we’ve harmed. What, then, is the significance of the confessional words we recite together on Yom Kippur? Why do we recite as a community when we didn’t necessarily commit all the transgressions? Do the traditional words convey all we need to say at this moment in history?
