Wednesday, 11 October 2017

Miller's Musings for Shemini Atzeres: Gather Your Thoughts


בס''ד
                            
*Miller’s Musings for Shemini Atzeres*

*Gathering Your Thoughts*

What's in a name? Well in Judaism the answer is everything! Far from being a simple label to enable us to refer to things, a name in Hebrew expresses the very nature of that which it is used for. Not knowing why a particular day has a particular name is not something that can be simply glossed over, but rather needs careful thought to ensure we are able to understand the essence of the day and therefore the specific work that is required in it. A case in point is the Yom Tov of Shemini Atzeres which provides much discussion as to what exactly the name means and how we are to connect with it?      
From the moment Elul rears its head and all through the month of Tishrei, there is a system of progression, renewal and rebirth. Our task during this time is to attain fear of G-d, return to Him through repentance, imbue ourselves with a love for Him and feel His incredible love for us.  Done correctly these weeks should have been one in which we have made tremendous strides and internalised ideas and beliefs that are pivotal to our success as individuals and as part of a wider community. The danger is that all this amazing work can be lost if we do not do something to retain it. And that 'something' is Shemini Atzeres. The word Atzeres, says the Kerem Hatzvi, can mean to gather and our role and purpose on this day is to gather together everything we have accomplished over the past weeks and endeavour to assure that they stay with us long after the shofar's echo has faded and the Succah has been put away for another year. 

After such intense days in the presence of Hashem and the most profound reconnection with your Creator it is all too easy to sink back into the way things were and leave all that you have gained behind.  Shemini Atzeres is a chance to stop and gather all that we have worked towards so that it is not a fleeting moment of inspiration, but rather something that lasts with us and is the impetus for a new beginning. It is a day to find some time to think back over all the decisions that we made and all the resolutions that we resolved to implement in the future.  It is a chance to fortify our determinations and evaluate whether we are already moving in the direction that we set for ourselves.  Shemini Atzeres is the confirmation of all we have worked towards and the completion of the first step of our journey towards the new us.
*May the joy of the coming days inspire us to new beginnings*
                                                                                                                            
לעילוי נשמת לאה בת אברהם


לעילוי נשמת שרה יעל בת ברכה אסתר

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