Elul 5781
Hello and Welcome - Shalom and Bruchim Ha’Baim!
Elul Tools is a Daily Guide, a hit of inspiration, and a gentle nudge for some earnest soul searching, each day of Elul. This is the ninth year I have both used and shared Elul Tools. Every day of Elul, I share a post with a specific theme to guide the process of Chesbon HaNefesh (accounting of the soul).
Setting aside 10-15 minutes each day allows you to dig a little bit deeper as you prepare for the Yamim Noraim (High Holy Days). There is a natural progression built into the design of Elul Tools. Yet each daily post can stand alone. Each day is an invitation to turn within and do some personal introspective work.
What's Incuded
Setting aside 10-15 minutes each day allows you to dig a little bit deeper as you prepare for the Yamim Noraim (High Holy Days). There is a natural progression built into the design of Elul Tools. Yet each daily post can stand alone. Each day is an invitation to turn within and do some personal introspective work.
What's Incuded
SHOFAR BLASTS
Every day of Elul, with the exception of Shabbat, we are urged to listen to the compelling call of the Shofar. This is our signal to Wake Up! Each daily post of Elul Tools (not Shabbat) includes a link to an authentic series of Shofar blasts (shout out to Chaim Rappaport for the shofar playing). START WITH THIS to set the tone for your reading and reflection. ELUL CHAIKU ~ Jewish Haiku! 
Each post includes an Elul oriented Chaiku to introduce the Elul Tool of the day and capture the essence of the themes of this month. While there are Jewish haiku coined as chaiku, to differentiate them culturally and thematically, I have taken the liberty of changing the structure of the traditional haiku to create a new Jewish form. By adding an additional syllable to the second line (5-8-5) the total syllable count in the chaiku I write changes to eighteen. If you don't have time to read the whole post (or just prefer fewer words) you can still benefit with as little as 18 syllables of Jewish poetry!
JUNIOR TOOL BOX
Each post includes an Elul oriented Chaiku to introduce the Elul Tool of the day and capture the essence of the themes of this month. While there are Jewish haiku coined as chaiku, to differentiate them culturally and thematically, I have taken the liberty of changing the structure of the traditional haiku to create a new Jewish form. By adding an additional syllable to the second line (5-8-5) the total syllable count in the chaiku I write changes to eighteen. If you don't have time to read the whole post (or just prefer fewer words) you can still benefit with as little as 18 syllables of Jewish poetry!
Psalm 27
It is customary to read Psalm 27 each day of Elul. With each post of Elul Tools, there will be a link to this Psalm for easy access. If you have not yet incorporated this daily reading into your Elul practice, maybe this is the year to begin!
JUNIOR TOOL BOX
Starting on 4 Elul (the fourth day) the Junior Tool Box is introduced. This part of the blog is full of Elul oriented activities for children and families.
I look forward to sharing this special time of year with you. Are you ready to dig in? Look for the first post of Elul Tools coming soon!
THIS YEAR: The first day of Elul begins at sundown on Sunday, August 8. The first Elul Tools, 2021 blog will be posted during the day on Monday, August 9. A different post will be added each day of Elul until we arrive at Rosh Hashanah, the head of the year.
I look forward to sharing this special time of year with you. Are you ready to dig in? Look for the first post of Elul Tools coming soon!
L'shanah Tovah!
Here’s to a meaningful Holiday Season!
