During the Jewish month of Elul, Jews prepare spiritually for what we call the "High Holidays"—Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. Elul is a month of self-reflection and prayer. During this time, Jews also make a point of giving generously to the poor, the disenfranchised, and those with mental or physical challenges. Above all, Elul is a time to return to G-d.
When Moses came down Mt. Sinai with a pair of stone tablets inscribed with G-d's law, he was confronted with a horrifying scene—the Israelites worshipping an idol, a golden calf. Furious, Moses smashed the holy tablets down the side of the mountain. But G-d brought Moses back up for a second set of tablets—a second chance for the Israelites to get it right. We blow a ram's horn, a "shofar," throughout the month of Elul to call G-d's people to climb up that mountain once more—to return to Him.
But, to return to G-d, we must first seek forgiveness for our sins. The Hebrew word for repentance, תשובה (teshuvah), has at its root, שוב (shuv), meaning "to return." Repentance, in effect, is how we return to G-d. We do this not just as individuals, but collectively, as a community.
When it comes to repentance, Judaism distinguishes between the sins we commit against others and the sins we commit against G-d. The sin of the golden calf at Sinai, for example, was clearly a sin against G-d. But, if we want G-d's forgiveness for any of our sins, He requires that we first seek forgiveness from our fellow humans.
But, seeking forgiveness from others is still not enough. To be forgiven by G-d, we also must forgive those who have sinned against us. The founder of Hasidic Judaism, Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer (also known as Baal Shem Tov), said that just as we so easily forgive ourselves and find excuses for our bad behavior, we should be just as quick to give others the benefit of the doubt when they sin. Moreover, when we are confronted with another's sin, we should not think harsh thoughts about them. Instead, we should use the encounter as a mirror to reflect on our own sins, and seek to improve ourselves.
Of course, forgiveness isn't just for the month of Elul, or the Jewish Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). We need the Almighty's forgiveness at every moment of our lives. But it is during Elul that we really meditate on repentance and forgiveness. Before we can ask for forgiveness, we need to know where we went astray and try to understand why. Before we can ask to be written in G-d's "Book of Life," we need to know how our choices have brought more pain, and even death, into the world. Once we've recognized our own sins, we can confidently approach the Divine to set things right again. Once we are forgiven, we can move forward into a year of good choices, and the blessings that will naturally follow.
Trusting in G-d's love and care gives us the courage to serve not ourselves, but others. And we all need to remember that with this love, comes responsibility. This season, I hope you will join me in returning "up the mountain" for another chance to draw close to G-d and His infinite love.
L'Shanah Tova!
Happy New Year!