We Stand Here Today

Elul Nitzavim

As we come to these last days of 5781,

The Torah calls,

You stand here today with everyone,

With all those who came before you,

And all those who will come after.

You stand here with all those you love,

And with all those with whom you deeply disagree.

You stand here today with earth and all beings,

To cross over into a renewed relationship

With the Unfolding Mystery of All Life. (Deut. 29:9-14)

How do we cross?

How do we enter the New Year?

The Infinite Life Force, commands:

Go with Love.

Love with all your heart and with all your soul,

And walk in the ways of love.(Deut. 30:16)

The soul trembles,

It churns.

It cries: Love in the face of all this?

This is not too great a task for you,

The Infinite responds,

It is in your mouth and heart to do. (Deut 30:14)

Choose love.

Love where you can.

Love where you are able.

Love those you love with all your heart, soul and strength.

Love the trees, sky, rivers and rocks.

Let this loving make you strong.

There will be times and places where it will be impossible to love.

Let that be.

There is plenty of opportunity to exercise and expand our capacity to love.

In these final days of a waning year

The Torah calls: Choose to act from and for love.

For the sake of your children’s, children’s, children,

For the sake of all beings,

For the sake of all life,

Choose to act from and for love. (Deut 30:19-20)

Shalom,

Rabbi Yael