Rabbi Janine's Messages

Dear Community, 

When September rolls around it feels like time it's time to get back to the regular routine. As a child it was time for back to school. Now, as a congregational leader, it's "back to synagogue."

And while it's true that I've been at Kehilat HaNahar all summer, there is still- even for me- a feeling of return. In September the Shul School begins again. Kids we haven't seen all summer suddenly appear a few inches taller. Members start "popping in" for various reasons. Fall programming begins in earnest. People are excited (maybe trepidatious?) about the upcoming High Holy Day season.

This feeling that occurs at the beginning of September dovetails beautifully with one of the major themes of the High Holy Days, that of teshuva or return. The sages say, Return again! Turn inward and search your soul. The King is in the field, the gates are open, now is the time!

This Sunday will be one of many returns. This Sunday is the first day of Shul School as well as our annual Membership Picnic. It will be a joy to see so many of your faces in-person once again. 

Friday night services and Saturday morning services will also take place at their usual times, 7 p.m. and 10 a.m., respectively. Saturday morning I plan to teach on Elul, why it is considered a special time, and how the rabbis play with the acronym of the word Elul: Alef, Lamed, Vav, Lamed to draw insight into our month of teshuvah. I have included the source sheet that we will be using Saturday morning in this message. If you plan to attend Saturday morning virtually, or you’d like a sneak peek, please refer to the source sheet below.   

I look forward to celebrating with you and returning together this weekend to the place we call our spiritual home. 

Shabbat Shalom, 

Rabbi Janine Jankovitz
she/her

On Elul
Source Sheet by Rabbi Janine Jankovitz

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 128:1
[The days] from Rosh Chodesh Elul until after Yom Kippur, are days of Divine favor [and acceptance.] Even though throughout the entire year the Holy One, blessed be, accepts the repentance of those who return to Hashem wholeheartedly, nevertheless, these days are unexcelled and most suitable for repentance, because they are days of mercy and favor. 

On Rosh Chodesh Elul, Moshe went up Mount Sinai to receive the Second Tablets; he remained there for forty days, and came down on the tenth day of Tishrei when the atonement was completed. From then on these days have been designated as days of Divine favor [and acceptance,] and the tenth day of Tishrei as Yom Kippur [Day of Atonement].

In most communities it is the custom to fast on the day before Rosh Chodesh Elul and to recite the prayers of Yom Kippur Katan [minor Yom Kippur], in order to be spiritually prepared for repentance. If Rosh Chodesh occurs on Shabbos, Yom Kippur Katan is held on the preceding Thursday. 

The Ari (Rabbi Yitzchak Luria), of blessed memory, wrote, "If he did not lie in ambush but Hashem made it happen, then I will provide …" (Exodus 21:13) The initials of the words [ina le'yado vesamti lecha] form the acronym Elul, to indicate that this month is a favorable time for repentance to be accepted for the sins committed during the entire year. It also alludes to the fact that sins done inadvertently also require repentance during this month. 

וַאֲשֶׁר֙ לֹ֣א צָדָ֔ה וְהָאֱלֹהִ֖ים אִנָּ֣ה לְיָד֑וֹ וְשַׂמְתִּ֤י לְךָ֙ מָק֔וֹם אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָנ֖וּס שָֽׁמָּה׃
If [a person] did so but not by design—it came about by an act of God—I will assign you a place to which they can flee.

The interpreters of allusions also commented (Deuteronomy 30:6): 

"And Hashem your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your children;" 
וּמָ֨ל יהוה אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ אֶת־לְבָבְךָ֖ וְאֶת־לְבַ֣ב זַרְעֶ֑ךָ לְאַהֲבָ֞ה אֶת־יהוה אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ בְּכׇל־לְבָבְךָ֥ וּבְכׇל־נַפְשְׁךָ֖ לְמַ֥עַן חַיֶּֽיךָ׃

Then your God will open up your heart and the hearts of your offspring—to love your God with all your heart and soul, in order that you may live.

Also, the initials of Ani ledodi vedodi li, I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine, (Song of Songs 6:3) form the acronym Elul. 

אֲנִ֤י לְדוֹדִי֙ וְדוֹדִ֣י לִ֔י
I am my beloved’s And my beloved is mine

Also, the initials of Ish lerei'eihu umatanos la'evyonim, One to another and gifts to the poor, (Esther 9:22) form the acronym Elul. 

וּמִשְׁלֹ֤חַ מָנוֹת֙ אִ֣ישׁ לְרֵעֵ֔הוּ וּמַתָּנ֖וֹת לָֽאֶבְיֹנִֽים׃
[They were to observe them as days of feasting and merrymaking, ] and as an occasion for sending gifts to one another and presents to the poor.

These acronyms are an allusion to three things: Repentance, Prayer, and Charity which must be practiced zealously during this month:
"Hashem will circumcise etc." alludes to repentance
"I am my Beloved's etc." alludes to prayer, for prayer is the song of love
"One to another and gifts to the poor," alludes to charity