Thought for Shabbat

For most of us, it takes an alarm from our phones or clocks to wake us up for the routine of the coming day. The sound alerts us that a new day is coming, a chance to do something new or just make a positive impact.

But at this time of year we have another alarm. Only this one is for our souls. It is the sound of the shofar that is blown every morning except Shabbat during the current month of Elul. Instead of reminding us of a specific time of day, it reminds us of a time of year, a time not just of repentance, but of renewal and change available to every single one of us.

On Rosh Hashanah, after we blow the shofar we recite a prayer. The opening words are "Today is the birthday of the world." Why is it the birthday of the world? It is because Rosh Hashanah is the anniversary of the creation of human beings. And thus the shofar during this month and on Rosh Hashanah reminds us that this is the time we can recreate ourselves spiritually. We can take a better path. We can devote ourselves to meaningful pursuits.

In short, Rosh Hashanah may be a time for repentance but more importantly, it is an opportunity. It is a celebration of each of us coming to the decision to recreate ourselves or at the very least change ourselves. And with change should come happiness and maybe even relief.

Elul and the shofar give us the time and inspiration to mull over what we want to be at the end of this process. The shofar is the soundtrack that is playing when we cross the bridge of repentance that leads us to who we can become with God and people. It is an instrument played by humans but inspired by God. And when we cross that bridge, the sound of the shofar is also the sound of welcome and victory over the instincts that pull us away from a spiritually rich path. Listen for it, even if only from your memory of years gone by, and act accordingly.

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Yaier Lehrer