As we prepare to enter the Hebrew month of Elul, the month before Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, we reflect on a significant Biblical story. Many years ago, Moses ascended Mount Sinai to seek forgiveness for the people’s sins. With compassion, he prayed on behalf of the entire community. His prayers were answered and, on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, they were forgiven.
This story is particularly meaningful because Moses not only prayed and sought blessings for himself and his inner circle, but on behalf of all the people around him. When we look to bring blessing to others, we are blessed in return.
The month of Elul is a time for reflection and an opportunity to pray for and support one another. It is a month of compassion, where we seek blessings not just for ourselves, but for our families and our community. When we look for the opportunities to support each other and be compassionate to others, we open ourselves to receiving compassionate blessings in return.
At the JAA, we are dedicated to the residents and community we serve. We are blessed by the opportunity to bring blessings into the lives of others. May we continue to share in blessings at the JAA, our community, and the world around us entering the New Year in blessing, prosperity, and peace.
-Rabbi Dovid Small