Time to Return!

Time to Return!                                                                                    by Rabbi Russ Resnick

This past Shabbat, we recited the blessing on the New Moon (Rosh Chodesh) for the month of Elul, which begins a 40-day period of spiritual renewal and t’shuvah culminating with Yom Kippur, October 11-12, October, 2016.

O God and God of our ancestors,
renew for us the coming month for good and blessing,
joy and gladness, deliverance and consolation,
sustenance and support, life and peace,
pardon of sin and forgiveness of iniquity.
For You have chosen Your people Israel from all nations,
and have instituted for them rules for the New Moon.
Blessed are You, Lord, who sanctifies Israel and the New Moons.
(Koren Siddur)

Notice the six pairs of benefits listed in this blessing –
1. good and blessing
2. joy and gladness
3. deliverance and consolation
4. sustenance and support
5. life and peace
6. pardon and forgiveness.

Six pairs, of course, equals twelve, which corresponds to the twelve months, or New Moons, of the entire year—including the New Year to come, for which we prepare during this time.

It’s traditional during Elul to read through the Psalms as part of our daily spiritual practice, with special emphasis on Psalm 27, which opens:

Adonai is my light and my salvation:
whom should I fear?
Adonai is the stronghold of my life:
whom should I dread?

“My light” reminds us of Rosh Hashana, the anniversary of creation, symbolized by light. “My salvation” evokes Yom Kippur, when atonement is provided, saving us from the penalty of sin.

For followers of Messiah Yeshua, both “light” and “salvation” speak above all of him, Adonai among us as light and salvation. May we turn to him wholeheartedly during this season of return!