We have now entered Elul, the month preceding Rosh Hashanah, and a period of both reflection and anticipation. While the nature of time and our lives seems to cause many of us to feel surprised when Rosh Hashanah arrives, connecting with our calendar and the practices associated with the months and seasons can help us to become more ready.
Many know that the Yamim Noraim/High Holy Days focus on teshuvah or turning toward our best selves and aligning our paths with our deepest truths. While teshuvah is something we can and should practice all year long, the season of this special focus on it is meant to begin with Elul, giving us a full month plus the 10 Days of Awe to look back on the year and to pay attention to ourselves and to our relationships.
In many communities, hearing the shofar for spiritual focus begins today on Rosh Chodesh Elul and continues daily (except Shabbat) throughout the month. Rabbi Kelly Whitehead writes, “To listen to the shofar is to practice a kind of holy attention. We listen for the soul’s trembling, for the heart’s longing, and for the voices calling out around us.”
Connecting the shofar blasts with the voices of other people, Rabbi Whitehead teaches “…the shofar… is a spiritual amplifier. It reminds us that truth is found in relationships, in the stories, sorrows, and wisdom of others.”
To begin this kind of listening, we may first have to listen deeply to ourselves, whether we do this in prayer or meditation, or with others in conversation. I look forward to gathering with you during the coming month for services including this kind of listening, as well as anticipating celebrating the holidays with you.
Wishing you Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Julie Saxe-Taller
Shoftim (Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9) Torah Reading Aug. 15, 2026
August 19, 2026 by Rabbi Julie Saxe-Taller • D'var Torah, Julie Saxe-Taller
We have now entered Elul, the month preceding Rosh Hashanah, and a period of both reflection and anticipation. While the nature of time and our lives seems to cause many of us to feel surprised when Rosh Hashanah arrives, connecting with our calendar and the practices associated with the months and seasons can help us to become more ready.
Many know that the Yamim Noraim/High Holy Days focus on teshuvah or turning toward our best selves and aligning our paths with our deepest truths. While teshuvah is something we can and should practice all year long, the season of this special focus on it is meant to begin with Elul, giving us a full month plus the 10 Days of Awe to look back on the year and to pay attention to ourselves and to our relationships.
In many communities, hearing the shofar for spiritual focus begins today on Rosh Chodesh Elul and continues daily (except Shabbat) throughout the month. Rabbi Kelly Whitehead writes, “To listen to the shofar is to practice a kind of holy attention. We listen for the soul’s trembling, for the heart’s longing, and for the voices calling out around us.”
Connecting the shofar blasts with the voices of other people, Rabbi Whitehead teaches “…the shofar… is a spiritual amplifier. It reminds us that truth is found in relationships, in the stories, sorrows, and wisdom of others.”
To begin this kind of listening, we may first have to listen deeply to ourselves, whether we do this in prayer or meditation, or with others in conversation. I look forward to gathering with you during the coming month for services including this kind of listening, as well as anticipating celebrating the holidays with you.
Wishing you Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Julie Saxe-Taller