Regrets flow seaward. As living waters clear my soul, I begin anew.
23 Elul—Tashlich: Casting Off What We Don’t Want
As we approach Rosh Hashanah, it helps to envision the coming year as a journey. All great voyages require some planning and forethought, including what to bring. In terms of our lives, which things (behaviors, attitudes, ideas, perspectives) do we want with us in the New Year? What should be on our checklist? Right alongside what TO bring is considering what NOT to bring. What could weigh us down? What might create problems? What pesky habits, harmful behaviors, troublesome experiences from this past year should we leave behind? Which mistakes and transgressions got us off track? How can we “unpack” them and make sure they don’t accompany us on the trip?
Wouldn’t it be nice to bundle up all our transgressions, all those ways we missed the mark last year, and just leave them behind? Wouldn't it also be great to leave behind all the challenges and anxiety we have experienced since the secular year, 2021 began. Fortunately Judaism provides us with precisely this opportunity during Rosh Hashanah. The beautiful, ingenious process of letting go of unwanted “junk” from the past year is known asTashlich. Translated as “You will cast...” Tashlich is usually performed as a community in the afternoon on the first day of Rosh Hashanah. This ritual gives us the opportunity to physically cast off our “sins” by throwing bits of bread into a body of flowing water. At the root of our misdeeds are bad habits, harmful behaviors, intolerant attitudes. Tashlich allows us to toss all of that into the ocean, a river, a creek, any living body of water. We fill our pockets with small pieces of bread. One by one we start letting all the struggles, the mistakes, the hurts, the challenges of our past year, drop into the flowing waters.
Our Sages teach us that the water must be alive and moving. This provides us with the cleansing transformation we are seeking. Recall that water in Judaism is often referred to as Mayiim Chayiim, which means living or life giving waters. The flowing currents take away our sins, which are then processed and transformed by the inherent purifying properties of flowing water. Tashlich allows us to empty ourselves of unwanted behaviors. Additionally, the process of doing this into a body of cleansing water, creates space for new life and growth within us. Tashlich is a powerful exercise because we are DOING something. So much of our preparation during Elul is internal and involves THINKING. At last we can take all our soul searching, our deep thoughts about who we have been in the past year, and turn it into a tangible action. It may seem that this is only a symbolic act. Yet when our bodies, senses, thoughts, and feelings are engaged, subtle change occurs--something is integrated, deeply. Change is possible.
There is additional power and meaning if this ritual is done with a community. Again we see that “to err is human.” Everyone gets off track. Everyone has stuff they want to leave behind, to cast into the water. Tashlich is a concrete step toward getting ourselves back on track.
Today’s Elul Tool: Think about the sins/midsdeeds you would like to leave behind from the past year. What mistakes would you like to chuck into the sea? Which transgressions would you like to see flow away, downstream in the river? What callous behaviors would you like to wash away? What from this year would you like to rinse away? Naming all of this specifically, in preparation for casting them off, helps ensure they won't follow us into the new year. Make a check list of the things you DO NOT want to take with you as you journey forth into 5782 (the new Jewish year). This should be an actual list. No need for explanations or rationalizations. Just a simple list. Keep this list handy. If you either attend a Tashlich service on Rosh Hashanah, or find a place to do this ritual privately, it’s nice to prepare yourself ahead of time. That way you can cast concrete, specific sins and transgressions, rather than general crumbs of regret into the water. Note:Tashlich is pronounced Ta-shleech, with the guttural, throat sound at the end. This sound does not exist in English but is the same sound as in Bach (the composer).
Psalm 27
It is customary to read Psalm 27 twice daily during Elul.
Here is an online version of Psalm 27 for easy access.
For Families and Kids!
Junior Tool Box:
Discuss the concept of Tashlich with your children. Talk about how water has the ability to cleanse and purify our mistakes.
Consider taking your family to Tashlich services (usually the first day of Rosh Hashanah afternoon) OR make a plan to perform Tashlich as a family. Children REALLY like this process. It is a tangible way for them to be involved in the renewal this time of year offers. There are many other Tashlich related activities for children. These are nice activities to do in preparation for the actual ritual of Tashlich. One idea is to have each member of the family write down all the mistakes and misdeeds they have committed in the past year. Do this on one piece of white paper with WASHABLE markers. When the page is full place the paper in a tub or large bin of water. The words in marker will begin to run and blur. Explain that this is how Tashlich works. Water is cleansing. It has the power to wash away things that get in the way of us being better people.
There are two great books about Tashlich for children. See info below:
New Year at the Pier by April Halprin
For ages five and up
Tashlich at Turtle Rock by Susan Schnur and Anna Schnur-Fishman
We are what we eat... Apples dipped in honey makes the coming year sweet
22 Elul—Shanah Tovah, Have a Sweet One!
During the month of Elul, it is customary to get in touch with loved ones. While we have been reaching out to friends and family for the purpose of making amends, Elul is also a time to reconnect with those we lost touch with over the year. We extend New Year’s greetings and exchange highlights of the year. Many send Rosh Hashanah cards. Others call friends and relatives who live far away. And of course, we can connect virtually by way of Facetime, Skype, Zoom and more.The purpose is to connect, to share this holiday time together as a Jewish community.
A common greeting during the High Holidays is for a “Sweet New Year.” Ideally, our efforts to improve ourselves by soul searching and making amends have been deliberate and sincere. This indeed paves the way for a new, good, and very sweet year ahead. This has been an incredibly challenging year for the human family and for our planet. While it may sound trite to say we hope for a sweet new year, the sentiment is meant point us toward whatever sweetness means to each of us. Indeed we are in need of a sweetness that includes healing, transformation, and sustainability.
We set the tone for a sweet year with Jewish culinary traditions such as eating apples and honey, sweet round challah, and honey cake.
Tradition holds that the very first Rosh Hashanah card was sent by 14th century Rabbi Jacob Halevi. In it he wrote what is heard throughout this holiday season, May you be written and sealed for a good year! In Hebrew the words are, L’Shanah tovah tikateyvuh v’tichatemu.
The process of sending out Rosh Hashanah cards may sound overwhelming and tedious. Yet for many it is a holiday tradition that helps set the tone for a new year. In reaching out and sharing holiday greetings, you are expanding on the idea of Teshuvah, return. This is a new year for all of us and we share in the renewal this time offers.
Today’s Elul Tool: Extend a Rosh Hashanah greeting to at least one person you care about. If you have more time, make a list of several people you would like to make contact with in this way. Try one of the following ways to make a Rosh Hashanah connection with someone:
1. Buy a set of Rosh Hashanah cards from a synagogue gift shop, if they are open during this time. Even if you end up not sending any cards, you will support the synagogue with a donation! But try to send at least one card.
2. Send homemade Rosh Hashanah cards. This is more realistic if you have children and are looking for engaging holiday ideas to share with them.
3. Set aside the time for personal phone calls with friends or relatives you want to connect with. Make sure to extend a New Year’s greeting.
Or if Communicating Via the Computer Works Best for you consider... 1. Sending Rosh Hashanah e-cards. Try one of the links provided below:
2. Share Rosh Hashanah greetings and highlights of your year with friends and family through a group email. One blast and it’s off!
3. Make a quick Rosh Hashanah “video card” and post on You Tube. Send the link to friends and family. Again, one blast and it’s off! Additionally, start to offer any of the following greetings to your Jewish friends and family through the rest of the Holiday season: • Shanah Tovah or L’Shanah Tovah: A Good Year • Shanah Tovah U’metukah: A Good and Sweet Year • L’Shanah Tovah Tikateyvuh V’tichatemu: May You Be Written and Sealed For a Good Year NOTE: It is customary to send Rosh Hashanah cards and greetings all the way through Simchat Torah which this year ends on September 29. So if you want to get in touch with lots of people with cards or calls, don’t feel like there is an urgency to complete this before Rosh Hashanah.
Psalm 27
It is customary to read Psalm 27 twice daily during Elul.
Here is an online version of Psalm 27 for easy access.
For Families and Kids!
Junior Tool Box:
Discuss the importance of staying in touch with people. Rosh Hashanah gives us the opportunity to do that, even if only once a year!
Make home-made Rosh Hashanah cards and send out to family and friends. Teach your children the traditional Holiday greetings above. Practice and have fun with both the English and Hebrew versions!
Make apple prints, either for cards or holiday decorations. Cut an apple in half (try to have the cut as smooth and even as possible), dip in paint or press on a stamp pad, and apply to paper or card. Add leaves and a stem!
Make a snack of apples and honey.
Listen to “Apples Dipped in Honey” in the audiofile below.
As full moon wanes to dark orb, we join our kin world wide. Shanah Tovah!
21 Elul—Practical Tips for the Holidays
Rosh Hashanah is just around the corner. This special holiday begins at sundown, with the new moon of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, on Monday, September 6. Some of you may be going to services. Some of you may observe this time at home. Others who are new to experiencing the holidays, may not have a particular plan for observing and celebrating. Regardless of your level of observance and knowledge of the Jewish High Holy Days, what follows are some practical tips for thinking a little bit ahead and preparing for these special days.
Special Meal: For Erev Rosh Hashanah (remember that the Jewish day starts at sundown), many people celebrate with a festive meal including candle lighting for Yom Tov (literally translated as good day, meaning special holiday). Kiddush over wine and challah and a special blessing called the Shehecheyanu are also recited. Even if you will not be heading off to synagogue afterward, consider having a special meal and lighting candles specifically for the holiday. If you think you might host such a special evening, now is the time to think about the logistics!
Synagogue Services: Most synagogues hold services for Erev Rosh Hashanah (the evening service) as well as the following two days in the morning. Services are also held for Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur day. If you don’t belong to a synagogue, you can still attend services. This year, many synagogues are holding Zoom services. Because of this you can probably attend services anywhere around the world. Now is the time to find out where, when, and whether you have to be a member to sign on.
Special Foods:
Traditional holiday foods include round challahs (symbolizing the cyclical nature of things, wholeness etc), apples and honey, and sweet foods baked with honey, such as traditional honey cake. The honey and sweetness symbolize the hope for a sweet new year. Consider having some of these foods during the holiday. It sets the mood and joins you with millions of other Jews around the world who are participating in the same customs. How unifying! If you want to have round challahs for Rosh Hashanah, find a local bakery and see if you need to order one in advance. You can also bake your own! There is a great challah recipe at the end of today's post. Similarly, many bakeries and stores sell baked Rosh Hashanah honey treats. If you like to bake, there are dozens of honey cake recipes (either online or from your friends and family). However, if you would like to experience a really spectacular honey cake, check out the recipe at the end of today's post. Now is the time to plan ahead for preparing or purchasing these foods! Next trip to the store, stock up on apples and honey!
Special Clothes for Rosh Hashanah: Many like to take the opportunity to treat themselves to a new outfit for Rosh Hashanah. New year, new clothes! If you want to wear something new and fantastic to synagogue, or on Zoom, now is the time to get out to the store! Special Clothes for Yom Kippur: Yom Kippur falls ten days after Rosh Hashanah. It is traditional to wear all white (to symbolize purity) on Yom Kippur day. Additionally, many people do not wear leather of any kind (shoes included). If you want to observe these customs, now is the time to make sure you have white clothes and/or non leather shoes that fit and are comfortable. Don’t wait until the last minute and find you don’t have what you need. Fasting for Yom Kippur:There is a 25 hour fasting period during Yom Kippur (essentially sundown to slightly after sundown the following day). Many need to prepare themselves physically and emotionally for this process. If you drink caffeine, now is the time to start tapering back to avoid the headaches that occur when stopping abruptly. If you think giving up coffee will be too much of a stretch, do the rest of the fast. Don’t let this be a reason for not fasting. Maybe you can drink it without cream and sugar though or drink the least amount you can get by with?
Taking Time Off: Allow yourself time off from work (and your children from school) to honor these extremely important holidays. Even if you do not attend services, make a commitment to take some time off for your own personal observances, mediations, prayers, contemplative walks etc...Join with the millions of Jews around the globe who are doing the same. It’s a powerful idea to consider that the Jewish community as a whole, in cities all over the world, are honoring their heritage and their spirituality in this ancient practice.
Today’s Elul Tool: Take some time to think about how you will observe Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur this year. Wherever you are on the path of observance, knowledge, comfort etc., pick a couple of concrete ways to honor your tradition, to take care of your soul. Can you increase your observance from whatever you did last year? Perhaps you want to host a dinner? Maybe you want to bake a honey cake or round challah? Can you commit to fasting, giving up coffee? Even if you are nervous and unsure about attending services, consider all the hard work you have done preparing for Elul. It is extremely moving, powerful, and transformative to go through this process as a community in a synagogue setting. Even if you feel unfamiliar with synagogue practice and rituals, perhaps this is the year to “check it out?” Pick something from these ideas that will stretch you, but is also realistic and doable for your life. The main point is to continue learning and growing each year!
Psalm 27
It is customary to read Psalm 27 twice daily during Elul.
Here is an online version of Psalm 27 for easy access.
For Families and Kids!
Junior Tool Box: Many synagogues offer children’s services. This year this will most likely be happening virutally, on Zoom. Contact your local synagogue for details. It’s always a special treat to hear the shofar blowing at High Holiday services. Children really enjoy this part of the service. Discuss the different holiday customs from above. Do any interest your child more than others?
Keep in mind that while children usually do not fast on Yom Kippur, some families try to keep the meals basic and simple, forgoing treats like dessert and non-nutritious snacks. Food only for the sake of “fuel” is the way to treat the idea for children. Remind them that this helps keep us focused on ourselves and on God. When we are busy enjoying food, we are distracted for the serious reflection Yom Kippur provides.
Continue to eat apples and honey as a treat or a snack! Bake a honey cake (see recipe below) or other apple or honey related treat. Bake a round challah (see recipe below). Go on a shopping trip for a New Year’s outfit. Discuss the idea and importance of wearing white on Yom Kippur. Talk about how it is like making yourself clean and clear. Like a blank slate for the New Year. Look through your children’s clothes and pick out something white for them to wear on Yom Kippur day.
RECIPES
1. Here is the link to a FABULOUS Rosh Hashanah Honey Cake, courtesy of the Smitten Kitchen blog. You won't be disappointed!
The following is my husband's challah recipe. Instructions for making it round are at the end. Enjoy!
Chaim's Challah, A Pretty Good Challah
Makes Two Loaves
Ingredients:
2 packages or 1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 cups warm water (110 degrees to 115 degrees)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup sugar
1+ tablespoons salt
5 eggs (4 for the Challah dough, 1 for the final egg wash)
6 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cold water (for the egg wash)
Directions:
In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the oil, sugar, salt, 4 eggs and beat until smooth. Stir in flour to form a firm dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead intently (or diligently) until smooth and elastic, about 8 - 10 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Divide each portion into thirds. Shape each piece into a 15-in. rope, braid and pinch ends to seal and tuck under. Place on a greased baking sheet or preferably a baking sheet with parchment paper. Repeat with remaining dough. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
To make a round challah, take one long rope and coil it. You can also take two ropes twisted together or three ropes braided and coil them. (For videos of several different methods, go to Youtube and type in “Round Challah”).
Beat cold water and remaining egg; brush over braids. Bake at 350 degrees F for 17 minutes or until golden brown.
Remove to wire racks to cool.
Background:
Today "challah" refers to the bread eaten on Shabbat. Originally "challah" referred to the small piece of dough that was set aside for the kohen (priest) when making bread. Today we bless, separate and burn a small piece of dough when making bread in remembrance of the portion given to God. This ritual reminds us that sustenance ultimately comes from God and transforms baking bread into a spiritual act.
Make dough for the challah. When it is ready to be shaped into loaves, say the following blessing: Baruch Ata A-Do-Nay Elo-haynu Melech HaOlam Asher Kidishanu B'Mitzvotav V'Tziyvanu L'Hafrish Challah. (Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to separate Challah). Immediately after saying the blessing, pinch off a piece of dough, approximately the size of an olive or one ounce, and say: harai zeh challah (this is challah). Then wrap the separated piece of dough in foil and burn it in the oven. The separated piece of challah should be burned so that it is no longer usable.
Shabbat, weekly gift... Unplug from hollow distractions. Turn to what is real.
20 Elul—Draw a Breath of Rest! Shabbat Shalom!
Even though Elul is our month to wake up, to pay attention, to do lots of deep soul work, Shabbat takes precedence over everything. Time to rest, time to play. Let all your thinking and reflecting fade to the background. Enjoy a day off. As you do this, know that all your hard work is integrating, settling on its own, without effort on your part.
In this past week we have taken stock of many parts of our lives. In sum, are we balancing all these different aspects of ourselves and parts of our outer lives in a graceful and healthy way? If not, why?
That's a lot to reflect upon!!
But now it’s time to put all that aside.
Our Earnest Elul Efforts will resume soon. Even the shofar can wait. Sometimes we gain more by letting go, by taking an authentic pause.
It is time for us all to head into a peaceful, rejuvenating Shabbat.
The gates are open. With open hearts, we turn to you. We strayed. Forgive us.
19 Elul—The Three T's: Teshuvah, Tzedakah, Tefillah Jewish tradition teaches that during Elul, and especially the few days before Rosh Hashanah, the gates of heavens are wide open. Our acts of Teshuvah (return), Tzedakah (acts of charity and kindness) and Tefillah (prayer) are especially potent. God is essentially “all ears” at this special time. This is a brilliant Jewish model for renewal and redemption. If we wish to calibrate ourselves to reach our highest potential, the Jewish community collectively takes this annual time to push each other forward. The more of ourselves we pour into this process during Elul, the more we will get out of it during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. To reap a good harvest, tend the garden. We are now in a serious phase of garden tending. We are setting the intention now for a sweet and prosperous new year.
From the beginning of Elul until Yom Kippur (a 40 day window), we have the opportunity to reflect and consider our actions over the year. We also have the opportunity to make amends with those we have hurt or neglected. By the time we reach Yom Kippur we should have taken care of our misdeeds toward others and ourselves. However, Yom Kippur (literally translated as Day of Atonement) is when we stand before God and take responsibility for all our transgressions. We repent to the source directly and ask forgiveness. Tradition teaches that on Yom Kippur the image of God is that of judge. Time to come clean. Have we done enough in the way or repair, repentance, and return? Have we tipped the balance? How will the verdict play out? Again, these are metaphors to inspire us to become better people, to improve the world.
Over the past couple of weeks we have thought a lot about Teshuvah and Tzedakah. Today’s focus for the Jewish recipe for renewal is the the third ingredient: Tefillah (Hebrew for prayer). As we approach Rosh Hashanah it is customary to recite selichot, or penitential prayers. This is essentially a special prayer asking God’s forgiveness for transgressions and misdeeds. As we have already learned, tzedakah is a way to repair damage for mistakes made. But as Yom Kippur approaches, we begin to contemplate the idea of repentance and seeking forgiveness. Now is a good time to find pockets of time to offer prayers or meditations focusing on forgiveness from God. Remember to find images and interpretations of God that are comfortable for you. It’s sort of like apologizing to a friend. First you make amends by apologizing and accepting responsibility for wrong doing. Perhaps you bring a gift or peace offering to show your sincerity (this would be the tzedakah). Then comes a critical piece in the repair process. You must be humble enough to ask for forgiveness. It’s not enough to just say sorry and bring a flower. Asking forgiveness shows genuine attempt toward change.
Yom Kippur services include special prayers known as the Vidui (confessional prayers). These prayers are comprised of the Ashmanu (meaning “We have sinned”) and the Al Chet (meaning “For the sin of...) These prayers are recited in the plural showing we are a community. We all have made mistakes. We all want to learn from them and grow. Another beautiful interpretation of the collective nature of the confessional prayers is put forth by Rabbi Isaac Luria, “All the children of Israel are considered a single body, and each person is a limb of that body. Each jew confesses to the sins of the whole body.” The list of sins from the Al Chet prayer is impressive, comprehensive, and powerful. It is both humbling and unifying. Humans are capable of so much wrong doing, so much hurt. We all stray from the path. All of us err. All of us engage in insensitivities, acts of negligence. But Yom Kippur gives us the opportunity to push the reset button.
Today’s Elul Tool: Find some time in this week preceding Rosh Hashanah to seek forgiveness from God through prayer, silent meditation, serious contemplation. Come up with a Tefillah (prayer or meditation) that resonates with you, that incorporates the nature of your transgressions and seeks forgiveness. Some prefer to do this at night, when it is dark and quiet. This enhances the serious, introspective nature of the work. Also, familiarize yourself with the very powerful Al Chet prayer. Here are three different versions: The first is from Aish.com and is the traditional Al Chet prayer with great explanation. You can view it here. The second is from Tikkun.org, reprinted by myjewishlearning.comThis version is a modern, alternative interpretation of the ancient prayer. You can check it out here. The third is from kveller.com and is a collective confession for parents regarding sins committed against our children (by us!) and you can view it here.
Psalm 27
It is customary to read Psalm 27 twice daily during Elul.
Here is an online version of Psalm 27 for easy access.
For Families and Kids!
Junior Tool Box:
Teach your children about the three T’s for the High Holidays:
Teshuvah (return) Tzedakah (loving acts of kindness and charity) Tefillah (prayer)
These are the three main ingredients for the Days of Awe.
For Teshuvah discuss the shofar. The shofar is used to wake us up and remind us to come back to ourselves, to God. If you have a shofar practice the different blasts. Or, your children can hold their fists up to their mouths like a shofar and make the sound of each note: Tekiyah = one long blast Shevarim = three medium blasts Teruah = nine stacatto blasts. Tekiyah Gedolah = one very long, final blast
For Tzedakah, make a tzedakah box if you haven’t done so already. Collect money to help others. You can also describe tzedakah as acts of loving kindness in general. This is the time of year to give of ourselves in loving ways.
For Tefillah make some time in the evening before bed to talk silently with God about mistakes we made. Part of these special prayers and mediations should include asking for forgiveness (Selichot). Role model this for your children.
