Calls of Elul

Dear Friends,

Let us welcome each other to this new season.
Tradition teaches that as Elul begins
The Divine Presence reaches for us,
Calling to us with love:
Return
         Return to me and I will return to you.  Zech 1:3
         You are cherished, you are loved, return.

Return to the wisdom of your heart.
Return to the truths of your soul.

Return to the awareness that you are here with each other,
With all creatures, with each blade of grass, each mountain stream.

Return to the awareness that life unfolds in mystery
And there is no knowing what will be.

Return to me, the Divine calls,
I am right here
And you are needed, necessary,
Worthy.

Return to a willingness to begin again
To enter fully into this endeavor of life
To step into the unknown,
And be part of a new creation waiting to take form.

At times the Presence has to shout
Over the protesting, despairing mind,
remind us that this soul work
Of ours is to be done with compassion,
For it is complex being a human
And we are living in a world on fire.

The shofar sounds
And the Divine calls.
May we turn and enter this season with compassion and courage.
May our journeys be for healing and peace.

Chodesh Tov,

Blessings and love to all
Rabbi Yael