Elul und Tishrei

These are the days of תשובה teshuva: of repentance. Some count 40 days, when Moses ascended the mountain to plead with God for forgiveness for the incident of the golden calf. A story of love lost and love regained.

Rabbi Simon Jacobson, in his book “60 Days: A Spiritual Guide to the High Holydays” (2003) wrote of the 60 days of Elul and Tishrei together, culminating in Yom Kippur when God grants forgiveness.

Traditionally, in Elul we start to prepare, to practice repentance, if you like. We begin by hearing the shofar every morning – very easy online these days. We recite Psalm 27. We may recite Psalms in general, choosing our favourites or a daily favourite, also online, see Sefaria. We start to use the Holiday greetings: shana tova which literally means “good year”, or לשנה טובה ומתוקהL’shana tova u’metuka “for a good and sweet year.”

When we pay attention to what is going on inside ourselves, we often feel a pull between two forces: for good, and for destruction, for positivity and negativity. This Elul, I wonder if we can also come to terms with our daily struggle with the news, with the longing for peace, with bringing the hostages home. Perhaps my version of Kohelet’s great prayer “A Time to…” will help someone reading this.

A time to cast stones
A time to repent

A time to follow
A time to lead

A time to be silent
A time to speak up

A time to accept
A time to challenge

A time to look back A time to look back

A time to weep
A time to dry our tears

A time to embrace the other

A time for common decency

A time to make choices

Chava Fleming: info@migwan.ch
Cultus/ Ritual Committee