Seeing

This week’s Torah portion, Re’eh - See, leaves us on the threshold of the month of Elul, which begins Saturday night.

See, the Torah calls.
See that every day you face choices
that are consequential for you and for others.

See, that the way you live matters and notice:

         What values, thoughts, fears and hopes are guiding your actions?
         What emotions and expectations are shaping your words?

         What happens as you encounter difficulty and pain?
         How do you respond to joy?

See and listen:
You shall not act as you do here and now,
Each person doing only what is right and good for themselves.     
Deut 12:8

As Elul begins:
         Be aware of what you consume, what you take into your body, mind and heart.
Take notice of what you support through the ways you give of your time and resources.
Bring your offerings to each other with open hands and open hearts.
         And practice joy.

With eyes wide open,
celebrate the abundance
and let joy nourish and inspire your sacred service. 
Deut. 16:14-15

As we enter the month of Elul,
may we see the blessings and the affliction of these times
and may we choose to act with love, courage and devotion
for the benefit of all.

Psalm 27 guides us through the month of Elul. Saying the whole psalm or a particular verse each day can help shape and illuminate the sacred work of this season. Download Rabbi Yael’s translation and the Hebrew text.