Dear Friends,
This Saturday night we will recite Selichot Service together. It is a special service that is supposed to help us get in the proper mindset for the High Holy Days that are just around the corner. In some traditional Sephardic Jewish communities, the Selichot Service is actually said every morning during the month of
Elul
, in order to prepare for the upcoming High Holy Days. The Maggid of Dubnow offers a beautiful
mashal
, an explanation, as to why, he says:
LeMah HaDvar Dmeh
: to what is this matter similar: to the craftsmen who received an order for a large job from a prince. According to their practice, when they completed his project, before turning it over to their master, they examined their work carefully. They tested every part and aspect repeatedly. They were afraid that they might have forgotten some details. How could they present something defective to the ruler of the land? Similarly, we must use the month of
Elul
to review our actions for the entire year, and prepare ourselves for Rosh Hashana.
Over the past month, we have had a variety of opportunities to get ourselves ready for reflection and introspection that the holiday season expects from us. This coming weekend is no exception. We are joined with our artists in residence, Cantor Leberman, Rosenstein Arts, and the Bible Players who will help us through music, through visual arts, and through theatre, prepare ourselves for what I hope to be a meaningful High Holy Day experience together, so that we can be the best version of ourselves in the coming year.
Whether it is for our Selichot Service, our adult only comedy show, or our Singing as a Spiritual Practice circle, I hope that you will join us for one of the many events over the coming week, as we get ready to usher in the New Year together.
Wishing you all a
Shabbat Shalom
,
Rabbi Josh
