Rebbitzen Heller's examination of teshuvah, and the imperative to engage in it during Elul will lead us to wonder the best way to accomplish it. This excellent discussion covers several approaches to teshuvah, leaving us to choose which might help best on leading us to successful change.
Rebbetzin Heller discusses three basic character traits of Hashem, and how they can be expressed in our day to day actions. The traits discussed are; the ability to see the good in another; the need for fences to guard us from negative actions; and how to sustain our appreciation to those who we have benefited from.
Rosh Hashana is the pivotal day of reckoning. It is also the time for new beginnings and for developing closer ties. For a stronger sense of closeness, both love and fear must be in sync. Rabbi Kelemen explains how to line them up for greater harmony.
We stood before G-d as a nation and accepted a new covenant that carried over to each subsequent generation of the Jewish People. What is the significance of what we agreed to do, based on the incredible clarity of vision we had at the time? And how does this explain G-d's promise to never give up on us, and how we receive seeming punishments from on High? And what message does this give over about the upcoming days of Rosh Hashana?
How does the day of Rosh Hashanah merge the two worlds of joy and fear? This day is one when our self-esteem can receive a tremendous boost if we tap into the incredible energy surging into the world. Accepting G-d as our king, as awesome a task as it is also guides us to find direction in life, inner peace, and fulfillment. How can we proclaim our desire to crown G-d king, and be deeply happy to do so, despite our drive for autonomy?
If we were to look back at the things we learned in grade school about Rosh Hashanah we may find them very different from what we believed. Also, why is this day which marks Creation considered a yom tov, and why is malchus shamayim, accepting God's Authority, the overriding focus of the day.
If repentance is the way to earn a fresh start, why on Rosh Hashanah, which avoids two of the three aspects of the teshuvah process, are we confident that we can attain a total self-renewal? On the first day of every New Year God recreates the universe anew. We are given a similar power to create a new slate for ourselves as well.
The ten days starting from Rosh Hashana through Yom Kippur is the most awesome period in the Jewish calendar - in terms of developing ones finer character traits. Rabbi Wein asserts that the history of teshuva is also the history of humanity. He brings Torah sources and amazing stories to show how teshuva not only builds us individually, but also as a nation.
Has the thought ever occurred that because of all our illogical, senseless choices, we're really a bit insane - living in an insane world? And if we'd wonder if being more observant might be a practical way to find peace and happiness, how come we don’t consider it? Could it be that we might unknowingly be professing a belief in God? So who's drum are we marching to anyway?
What are you really living for? Hear one of Rav Noah's engaging Elulshmoozen for extra chizuk, inspiration and a new approach for changing gears. Start the month of teshuva one step ahead.