The Month of Elul: Calling Us Back to Love

Dear Friends,

Tonight is the New Moon of Elul, the month that precedes Rosh Hashanah. Elul calls us to prepare our hearts for the New Year. This weekend I am leading an LSI workshop on teshuvah, repentance and return, here at the WJC. I wanted to share with you some thoughts on this month of Elul, words I originally shared in 2003.

Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh Tov (a good month),

Rabbi Jonathan


The Month of Elul: Calling Us Back to Love


Ani l’dodi v’dodi li—

I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine. Song of Songs 6:3

About a month ago, I performed a wedding, as a last-minute replacement for a colleague who had unfortunately taken ill. The groom is a cousin of mine, and so without hesitation I flew out to Cleveland to officiate.

Read More