Your Spiritual Journey’s ETA

It’s been a long summer. Elul, the Hebrew month when we prepare to begin our New Year, arrives as Labor Day ends. For me personally, it also signals, as it has for the past four years, the anniversary of my father’s death. 

One of the things my family marveled at, particularly as dad lived from his 80s through his mid-90s, was how much he grew. Got more expressive. Resourceful. How he became a more loving caregiver to our mom, and then how impressively he reinvented his life in the four years following her passing. 

His capacity to grow faithfully implants in me, as we prepare for the season of personal growth, a truth that growth is not only possible, it’s probable. Yes, growth isn’t always a good thing. Some grow meaner. More selfish. More malicious. But many grow kinder. Wiser. And, if you’re curious and open enough, you can grow in your beliefs too.

Faith is the subject of the current edition of Sapir Journal. It’s worth a look. One of my favorite responses to the question: Do you believe in God? is, “Most of the time.” It’s less reductionist than the Yea–or-Nay question itself.

I prefer to invite others to tell me What they do believe. Even more, What they did believe and how their beliefs have changed over time. Mostly, I like it when people acknowledge that some beliefs aren’t so tidy, they don’t always hold-together as neatly as we want. For example, what’s been done to our people and claimed about our people since October 7 has likely rattled, ransacked, and restored faith. 

This week’s portion includes the Torah’s fourth and final description of the Festivals. What’s added and unique about this description of Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot, is an emphasis on Pilgrimage. Spiritual journey. On venturing forth on a seasonal basis toward someplace sacred (Deut. 16:16). 

Getting from here to there doesn’t include an ETA. It doesn’t require one either. But the invitation is now offered by the month of Elul. I look forward to appreciating where you find it leading you.