Skip to content

My Elul Exercise – 5776 – Back At It, Again

Four years ago, in preparation for the New Year I engaged in what I called ‘My Elul Exercise.’   Elul is the last month of the Hebrew year.  It’s 29 days are a prelude, a walk-up, a pregame, a prologue (well, you get the idea) to the New Year and the Ten Days of Teshuvah that begin our year.  As part of my own ‘work’ – both personal and professional – I attempted to write something every day during Elul that focused upon the themes presented to us at this time of year.  And while I do not know if I have it in me to write something everyday this year, I find myself motivated to take the time and effort to reflect, write and share with you as we get ready for 5777.

So, what am I going to do and why?  Well, First let’s address the ‘Why?’ …

Elul (which began this past week ) is not some holiday-deprived month of the Hebrew calendar, but oh, so much more … It is an important time of preparation for the spiritual work we have the opportunity to do during the first ten days of the New Year.  The Marahal of Prague (the same sage of Golem fame) summed up Elul’s role well: “All the month of Elul, before eating and sleeping, a person should look into his soul and search his deeds, that he may make confession.”

Now the ‘What?’ …

During these days of Elul it is my intention to write something about this sacred process of reflection and renewal.  With great humility, I offer these writings to you in forms of blog posts.  For me, the process of writing regularly serves as a way of helping me to stay true a regular exerciss of reflection.  For you, I hope these musings on various ‘Elulian’ themes, may be of use as you endeavor to walk your own path of reflection and renewal this New Year.

I will post my thoughts through Twitter (@rabbimo or @micahdenver), Facebook and this blog.  As you come across these posts I hope that in some fashion my Elul Exercise will be a help to your own.

And, whatever that ‘exercise’ may look like for you, may you have a great workout this New Year.

Other News

May I Have A WORD With You - Stone/אבן/Evan

Stone/אבן/Evan Taking one of the stones of that place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. (Genesis 28:11) Even if you like your pillow hard as a rock, I doubt that you would actually use a stone or a rock as a pillow. In Vayetzei,…

It Is Hard To Be A Jew In This Moment

It is hard to be a Jew in this moment … the horrid barbarism of Hamas’ attacks shakes us to our core.  Our people have been murdered, injured and taken captive … simply because they are Jews.  For some Jews these attacks recall their own direct experiences of hatred and…

May I Have A LETTER With You?! - ALEPH

             – א –             I did not even make it to a whole word, I got stuck on just a letter.  א – Aleph. One the insights about the experience on Sinai from our tradition that resonates most deeply with me speaks to what was actually spoken in that…