We are now in the Jewish month of Elul and Rosh Hashana is around the corner (2 weeks!) followed by many other holy Holidays. To help get us in gear, I will put the controversial topics on hold until after Simchas Torah and get us in High Holiday mode. Elul: the month of self-reflection and forgiveness First, take the time right now to make a list of your strengths and weaknesses. This helps you zone in on your main challenges and allows you to set the framework for improving those traits. Using your list of weaknesses, try and find a commonality between all or at least some of them. With this much smaller list, plan a goal on how you will correct yourself in this area through baby steps. (and you should write all this down or else your forget it within a couple of weeks, months for sure) Second, think very thoroughly on everyone you may have offended this past year, and even further back if necessary. Now, go that person, email him, phone him, and apologize. It is easy to hurt someone, but it is so much harder to admit guilt and apologize - but that doesnt mean you shouldnt do what is right. Even if you were doing the right thing and someone took offense, it is still important to apologize. On Rosh Hashana, we are not trying to fool G-d and say Im sorry G-d for everything, now with that said, can You give me a good year? Rather, we stand before our Creator and say Hashem, I know Im not perfect, but I would like to get there. I know I have done many wrongs and I may not even be able to perfect myself on all of them this year, but at least I have a plan and I would like to improve myself little by little. When you stand before G-d both having a plan and having sought forgiveness for your wrongs, Hashem says: this person is deserving of Divine help. Shabbat shalom and ksiva vchasima tova (may you be written and sealed for a good year)
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 14:27:56 +0000
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