Elul’s Shofar: A Poem

Rabbi Suzanne Brody

During the month of Elul, the month leading up to Rosh Hashanah, it is customary to blow a single shofar blast each morning. This daily shofar blast serves to remind us of all we need to do to prepare ourselves spiritually for the upcoming holidays and the start of the new year.

“Elul’s Shofar”

Every morning
One lone shofar blast,
Jolting us into the present
Reminding us
Not to put off
Work that takes time,
A cry
Calling forth our imperfections
For introspection and change.
Each day’s shofar blast
An invitation
To examine
A different relationship,
Pushing us
To reconnect
Extending bridges of forgiveness
Stretching us
A little bit closer
To who we want to be.

Author

Rabbi Suzanne Brody

Rabbi Suzanne Brody is a passionate Jewish educator, writer, reader, and crochet enthusiast. She is the Director of Ithaca Beit MidrashLiterally, “house of study,” it refers to a school or a communal study hall. Plural: Batei Midrash (www.ithacabeitmidrash.com) and hopes you’ll join her for a class or two! Rabbi Brody is also the author of multiple books of poetry and fiction (available on Amazon). When she is not at her computer or by the lake writing, Suzanne can be found teaching in both formal and informal Jewish educational settings or enjoying time with her husband, their two teens, and cuddling with their dogs and cats.
View all posts https://www.amazon.com/s?k=suzanne+brody&crid=20HPAG70405E9&sprefix=suzanne+brody%2Caps%2C207&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

Author

Rabbi Suzanne Brody

Rabbi Suzanne Brody is a passionate Jewish educator, writer, reader, and crochet enthusiast. She is the Director of Ithaca Beit Midrash (www.ithacabeitmidrash.com) and hopes you’ll join her for a class or two! Rabbi Brody is also the author of multiple books of poetry and fiction (available on Amazon). When she is not at her computer or by the lake writing, Suzanne can be found teaching in both formal and informal Jewish educational settings or enjoying time with her husband, their two teens, and cuddling with their dogs and cats.

Post categories: Elul, High Holidays, Holidays, Spiritual Preparation

Post tags: Elul, Poetry, shofar, Spirituality

(Not) Announcing Rosh Hashanah

A Whoop and Two Challahs: Doubling Our Loaves on Shabbat

Remembering and Observing United States Memorial Day

Find meaning in your inbox. Sign up for our emails!

Exploring Judaism is a home for the TorahRefers to the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, the Tanakh, also called the Five Books of Moses, Pentateuch or the Hebrew equivalent, Humash. This is also called the Written Torah. The term may also refer to teachings that expound on Jewish tradition. of Conservative Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. There is always something to learn and explore.