The crux of the Yamim Nora’im (High Holy Days) is the process of teshuvah, a process of introspective reflection of our actions, a commitment to be better, and a homecoming to our best selves. In our Torah reading this week, we are reminded over and over about the importance of this teshuvah - of return. This work is needed at all levels of our experiences. In the words of Rabbi Israel Salanter, a 19th century teacher:
When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world. But I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my country. When I found I couldn’t change my country, I began to focus on my community. However, I discovered that I couldn’t change the community, and so as I grew older, I tried to change my family. Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, but I’ve come to recognize that if long ago I had started with myself, then I could have made an impact on my family. And, my family and I could have made an impact on our community. And that, in turn, could have changed the country and we could all indeed have changed the world
Rabbi Salanter helps identify five levels of teshuvah: (1) the self, (2) the family, (3) the community, (4) the country, and (5) the world. At each level, we ask: Where did we fall short, and where did we succeed? Where could we be better, and where could we build on what we are already doing well? When we start with the first level, as he teachers, there are ripple effects into the others.
The Torah tells us this week that “it is not too baffling for you, nor is it beyond reach” (Deuteronomy 30:11). That might be true, but often we don’t know where to start. Rabbi Salanter’s questions give us an entree into the process. As we enter the final week of Elul before Rosh Hashanah, I encourage you to pick one of these levels and think about how you could have been different.
This is a hard year to engage in this process, I think, because there are so many external elements weighing us down. There are so many difficult things in the world that demand our focus and we aren’t often focusing on ourselves. In fact, focus itself has felt challenging to achieve! Elul reminds us that we owe it to ourselves; we deserve to do the work to better our lives. Rabbi Salanter’s path forward reminds us that every little bit counts; every layer has meaning. We don’t have to achieve it all - this is just the beginning.
Shabbat Shalom Rabbi Sarit
Please click here for the Youtube playlist with davening and teaching I’ve prepared for this Shabbat (it will be uploaded before Shabbat).
Please check out our website for some Shabbat-related learning resources.
