We are currently in the Hebrew month of Elul, the month that leads us toward the High Holy Days. Elul is a special month, with many unique rituals and ideas. As we make our way toward the most sacred days in our year, we are given the chance to reflect, return to ourselves, and prepare for a new year. In Elul, many people take on rituals such as hearing the shofar, reciting or singing Psalm 27, or reflecting on special texts.
There is a famous Jewish teaching that tells us that during the month of Elul, the “king is in the field.” What does that mean? It means that while perhaps, at other times, God is in a loftier place, like a palace, during Elul, God is closer to us, among us, “in the field.” We have the chance to draw near to God and connect to God in different ways.
Whether you understand God as a great monarch who goes from palace to field, the Divine spark between people, something else entirely, or God is simply not a concept that resonates with you, this time still invites us to draw near- to our tradition, to the Divine, or to each other.
There is a moment in this week’s Torah portion that I think reinforces this idea. Though we know that throughout the Torah, God chooses the Israelites, and therefore, us, to follow God’s commandments, in Deuteronomy 26:17, the Israelites choose, or affirm, their connection to God. I think this is a powerful idea, especially for this time of year. We are reminded that drawing near is not simply about waiting for God, meaning, or inspiration to come our way. It is also about choosing to affirm, and move towards the things we hold dear.
In this special season we have the opportunity to choose and to affirm what is meaningful to each of us. We can use the teachings of this time to draw closer to the things that serve us and bring us light and joy.
Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom and a season of reflection, sweetness, and hope.
Cantor Sydney Michaeli
