My Favorite Time of the Year

The fall feasts of the Bible is my favorite season of the year. I especially loved celebrating these feasts in Israel last year. What a privilege! Today is the twentieth day in the Biblical month of Elul, the last month of the Jewish calendar.  Elul will end at sundown on September 8th. The next day (Sept. 9) is Rosh Hashana, the first day of the Jewish new year. Rosh Hashana begins the fall feasts of God.

Every day during this month of Elul the shofar is blown and Psalm 27 is read in minyans and prayer groups.  Elul is a month of preparation for the Days of Awe between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur culminating on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year.  It’s a time of reflection. Elul means “returned with” signifying when the Jewish people returned to Israel after their 70 years in Babylon. Since that time Elul is a month where we “return to HaShem” in repentance.  This is a holy month leading up to the most holy month, Tishri. (Next week I will write about Tishri and Rosh Hashana.)

Repentance.  It is a word that is not too popular in some circles, especially those who think grace is a free ride to live on the edge of holiness thinking that God will excuse their little indulgences in the world.  The Bible doesn’t teach that at all.

“Therefore, my dear friends, since we have these promises, beloved, let us purify ourselves from everything that can defile either body or spirit, and strive to be completely holy, out of reverence for God.”  (II Cor. 7:1)

“So that you may be blameless and pure children of God without defect in the midst of a twisted and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the sky.”  (Phil 2:15)

The month of Elul is a perfect time to focus more fully on the idea of repentance and holiness. I have been reading Psalm 27 as many times as I can this month. It’s one of my favorite chapters in the Bible.

“One thing have I asked of Adonai; only

this will I seek:  to live in the house of

Adonai all the days of my life, to see the

beauty of Adonai and dwell in his

temple.”

Chag sameach!  Happy holidays!