Engaging w/ Elul August 12, 2013
As we near the first week mark of Elul, I am beginning to consider Teshuvah - repentance more deeply. I am struck each year pondering the work actually required to change oneself intentionally. I mean, I know that I am always changing, but to engage in a process of introspection and reflection to change oneself for the better is different. It is the unique work of character development. Our Jewish tradition is explicit that it is only certain kinds of behaviors that actually bring about this kind of change. We learn in the book of Jonah, read on Yom Kippur, just this idea. “It is not said [in the book of Jonah] of the people of Nineveh, “And God saw their sackcloth and their fasting” but “And God saw their actions, that they turned [repented] away from their evil way.” (Ta’anit 2:1) True change comes when we engage wholly in becoming, for the people of Nineveh had turned away from their ways.
Make Today a Great Day,
Rabbi Evon
What do you mean when you say, "wholly in becoming?" Can you share more about that? "wholly in becoming" what? who? how? love the blog and love you!
ReplyDeleteBecoming is a reality, I think, about the way we like our lives. It is recognizing that we are always becoming the person we can...it is ongoing. So, to engage wholly in becoming is to engage wholly and fully in ever constant growth, change and evolution of the person one is.
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