13 Elul 5784

Rabbi Emeritus Jonathan Keren-Black

Leo Baeck Centre for Progressive Judaism

Public/Personal  –  Outer/Inner

On Rosh Hashanah we will stand exposed before the Spirit of the universe.  Perhaps more important, at least to our modern understanding, we are provided this time and chance to be completely honest with ourselves.  The Ten Days of Repentance are the steps to change.

The protections we weave and wear, the way we justify our missteps, our laziness and failures, will be stripped away.  Our explanations and excuses will count for nothing.

This month of Elul is the time to reflect and to prepare ourselves to make the most of this unique and powerful annual opportunity.

Whatever has been said and done to us (and over this last year it has often been truly terrible, painful and damaging), have our responses been towards helping, healing, reconciliation – towards perfecting our world even when it seems impossible, or have we succumbed to reflex, to fight hurt with hurt, bigotry with bigotry, hatred with hatred.

This question is personal – but not only personal – though we can only respond at an individual level.  But at this period of the year, we acknowledge our shortcomings both individually and collectively, “Khatanu l’faneikha – we have sinned before You.”  We must reflect on the state of our world, and the pursuit of our own gain and happiness notwithstanding the damage being caused.  We must reflect on the State of Israel, the horrors perpetrated on it and whether its responses, understandable as they may be, will move it and the world towards safety and peace. For Australian readers, we must recognise the pain and disaster of the rejection of The Voice, a significant step away from justice, hope and harmony.  And, finally, for ourselves – the only area for which we can take complete responsibility.  Have we moved towards our goals from last Rosh Hashanah?  Have we been even a little bit kinder, calmer, more gentle – on ourselves, on those we love and those with whom we work and interact?

May we be strong enough to acknowledge our failures, so that we may be strong enough to make ourselves – and the world around us – at least incrementally better in 5785.