The Jewish calendar is determined by the moon. We need only look up into the night sky to know where in the holiday cycle we are: a new moon on Rosh Hashanah, symbol of the blank potential that awaits us in the new year; a full moon on Sukkot, reminder of the bounties of the fall harvest with which we fill out Sukkah; a waning moon on Chanukkah, a reminder to kindle more light in our menorah as the darkness of winter grows.
This past week marked the beginning of the month of Elul -- that time of personal introspection that leads up to the High Holidays. In so it was appropriate that the new moon of Elul should bring with it a solar eclipse.
Perhaps you saw it. Perhaps you gazed (with protective glasses, I hope) at the wonder of standing under the shadow of the moon.
Perhaps the eclipse on the first day of Elul can serve as symbol for this month of introspection -- a reminder to spend a little time focused on our shadow side, a reminder to pause for even a few minutes and block out the sun of our own egos.
Then we’ll fulfill the meaning of the High Holy Day season -- and truly be able to say these words of prayer:
Baruch Atah Adonai, HaMaariv Aravim.
Blessed is our Eternal God, who fashions light and dark.
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