Sep 06 2010
TRM Reading September 5, 2010
My latest contribution to The Huffington Post is titled, “The Month of Elul as Opportunity: Monica, Eve, and Repentance.” Elul, the current month on the Hebrew calendar, is a time of looking back to reflect on errors committed during the past year in preparation for Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year, which begins Wednesday night.
Jewish tradition believes all people go before the Creator on Rosh HaShanah, the anniversary of the creation of man, to be judged whether or not they are found worthy to be written into the Book of Life for another year.
The essence of the post explores taking responsibility for our actions in relationships. In it, I use the Biblical story of Adam and Eve and the Lewinsky/Clinton scandal to illustrate how quick so many are to blame another for our own mistakes.
If one can recognize they have made mistakes in relationships, feel remorse about them and commit not to do them again, an opening is created for a powerful and beautiful aspect of humanity to shine: forgiveness. Forgiveness cleanses the heart and leads to healing.
May we be blessed with the strength to take responsibility for our actions and the grace to be forgiven for what we have done. May we be blessed with embracing life and being a force for good in our thoughts, actions and words.