Elul - Preparing Heart, Mind, and Soul for the High Holy Days
 On Rosh Hashana we metaphorically place ourselves before G-d's assessment of our lives in the past and coming years. Jewish tradition implores us to a full month of in-depth spiritual preparation for this event through the Hebrew month of Elul (the month preceding Rosh Hashana).
Each Shabbat morning August 18th, August 25th, September 1st and September 8th, Rabbi Yitzi will offer two different topics of exploration and preparation, intended to aid "cheshbon hanefesh" (the accounting of the soul) using intellectual, emotional, and visceral techniques.
The schedule of sessions is below. Each day will conclude with the requisite gastronomic Jewish technique of kiddush lunch. Each session stands on its own, so come to any one, or to all eight!
| Saturday August 18th |
9:30 am - 11:00 am |
High Holy Day Concepts Overview:
Sin, Repentance, and Forgiveness: What do these concepts really mean? |
|
11:00 am - 12:30 pm |
Talmud on Rosh Hashana:
Explore sections of the Talmud related to Rosh Hashana (all texts in English) |
| Saturday August 25th |
9:30 am - 11:00 am |
High Holy Day Services Overview:
Key prayers from the High Holy Day services—what they mean, and what the evoke. |
|
11:00 am - 12:30 pm |
Talmud on Yom Kippur:
Explore sections of the Talmud related to Yom Kippur (all texts in English) |
| Saturday September 1st |
9:30 am - 11:00 am |
High Holy Day Torah Portion:
The Akedah (Binding of Isaac): What can we learn from this troubling story? How does it connect to the Days of Awe? |
|
11:00 am - 12:30 pm |
Talmud on Sukkot:
Explore sections of the Talmud related to Sukkot (all texts in English).
|
| Saturday September 8th |
9:30 am - 11:00 am |
High Holy Day Torah Portions:
"You Shall
be Holy" and "The Scapegoat" |
|
11:00 am - 12:30 pm |
Talmud commentary on the ancient Temple
process of the scapegoat
|
Kiddush lunch follows each day's program.
Rabbi’s Recommended Supplemental Reading:
(basic) Every Person’s Guide to the High Holy Days..... Ronald Isaacs
(intermediate) Entering the High Holy Days..... Reuven Hammer
(in-depth) Days of Awe..... S. Y. Agnon
Alan Morinis’ books about Mussar:
Climbing Jacob’s Ladder (an introduction to Mussar)
Everyday Holiness (A guide to Mussar practice)
|
