On the Practice of Elul

Today marks the first day of the month of Elul, the thirty days of ascent and preparation for the New Year and Yom Kippur. During the month of Elul we begin to sound the Shofar, once a day, to awaken our spirits from the deep slumbers they have resigned themselves to. Through one cycle of the moon, we create foundations in body, mind, and spirit that will become the altars from which our High Holy Day prayers are offered - the greater our practice of Elul, the swifter the ascent of our song. The practices …


Shofar - If you cannot hear a real Shofar once a day, here is the virtual version -

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Sound it daily.

Food - Change the way you eat. Eat vegetarian for the month. Three meals (or more) a day, each present the opportunity for reflection. The spiritual mirrors the physical - by changing our physical bodies and what goes in to them, we allow for the transformation of spirit. At each meal offer a blessing; the differentiation itself will be your cue.

Meditation - Sit for three minutes each day in silence, before you lie down or before you rise up. Focus on your breathing, and when your attention drifts away, return the focus to your breath. Conclude with the Shema.

Do not practice alone; share this journey with those around you. I will be in touch throughout the month, and I look forward to praying with you at the light of the next new moon.

Rabbi Zach

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