Shana Tovah! – Wishing you a good change or a good repeat!
I have never had the pleasure or opportunity to meet or to study with the founder of the Jewish Renewal movement, Rabbi Zalman Schacter-Shalomi zt”l (a.k.a Reb Zalman). I love to watch his YouTube videos and read his many writings and teachings – especially the ones relating to his Hasidic and Yiddish background. I recently read his teaching about the Hebrew word “shana” which means year in English. “Leshana Tovah” as we often hear, say or sing during this time of year means have a good year. Reb Zalman teaches that the shoresh or root of the Hebrew word “shana” (shin-nun-hey) has two opposite meanings: “to change” and “to repeat.” He further explains that there are two ways to express this in the Yiddish language and tradition. When we wish to change something, we can say with a low mono-toned voice using a low hand gesture to the right: “Heynt azoy?” (Today this way?), and the same to the left, “Morgen azoy?” (Tomorrow, unfortunately this way?). When we want to repeat and bring something from the past year or past years into the New Year, we can say with an excited voice and two hands held up high “Heynt azoy! Un Morgen azoy!” (Today this way! And Tomorrow this way!). Many Jewish practices including Jewish Renewal, encourage and help congregants to make an inventory list of things and behaviors that they want to change, apologize for, and repeat (Renewal) during the month of Elul and on Selichot. CLICK HERE for a blank printable list with a beautiful prayer by Reb Zalman on the back.
The inventory list reminded me of the old story about the Hasidic Rebbe, who, before going to bed every day, would make a list of everything that he had done wrong that day. He would then recite the list over and over until he was overcome with tears of grief and regret. He would cry so much that the paper with his list would be wiped clean. Thankfully, there are many Hasidic teachings (and therapists!) that warn us about being too hard on ourselves so that we do not become filled with despair, guilt and shame which can block us from growing and learning. A famous Hasidic Rabbi, Rebbe Nachman of Bratslav, the great grandson of the Ba’al Shem Tov, who was the founder of the Hasidic movement, tells us to actively seek out our good loving points and to bring them forward in order to overcome our feelings of self-condemnation.
You can join me in practicing the Yiddish “heynt azoy, morgan azoy” with our hand gestures and vocal inflections at Selichot, Tashlich and der Freylekher Shabes Shuveh services! We will also have many opportunities to do the introspection and to support each other in the work that goes along with saying and writing our prayers B”H.
I will have some blank lists with the beautiful prayer on the back by Reb Zalman for you to take at our Community Selichot Dance of Forgiveness Service this Saturday, September 17th 6:30-8:30 pm: https://www.nahalatshalom.org/calendar/2022-hh-selichot You can also CLICK THIS LINK to use, print and/ or explore our 22-page Selichot Dance of Forgiveness Prayerbook.
Here is something that I hope will bring joy into your Elul practice and introspection--Yamma Ensemble with shofar “Mimkomecha” from the Kedusha prayer that is sung during the shaccarit & HHD services:
This fabulous Sephardic group from Israel, Yamma Ensemble will be performing HERE in ABQ for the Annual Celebration of World Music & Culture | Globalquerque festival on Saturday Sept. 24th. They will also be giving a free workshop on Saturday during the day. The Ukranian group Dhakha Brakha will also be performing on Saturday evening among many other amazing world music artists! Get your joy on!!
Wishing you all in Yiddish: “A gut Yor! A freylekher Yor! Un a gezinte yor!” (A good year! A joyous year! And a healthy year!)
Cantor Beth