Hey Everyone out there..... The Gray Mensch Rabbi here!, We are now coming to the end of August which most of you already know..... however what most of might not know is aside for being the Month of my beautiful wife's birthday... it also becomes the month of Elul. Starting on August 16th... yes that's right; in the middle of August starts a new month according to The Jewish Calendar and also what our sages refer to as the month of "divine compassion". Which happens to be great for me because, during these days, you can repair all that went amiss from the entire year-with study, charity, and of course, good deeds! As well as with meditation and prayer. That is also why we (me, in my community) get to blow the Shofar ( Ram Horn) every day of this month! ( except Shabbat), as a wake-up call to prepare for the magnificent days to come....
At any rate the person blows the Shofar ( which Hebrew designation can be literally translated into the English equivalent "Master Blaster") is a man of special piety and purity of conduct; while the man blows the trumpet is Miles Davis....
Just a little Jewish humor there folks!
What I mean to say is, while I don't consider myself a man of any special piety and purity of conduct; it's an honor to know the men of my shul consider me so, Especially since Elul is also an appropriate time to reflect on out actions an attitudes over the previous years, and resolve to correct our short comings. This especially holds true to me and for me, since I am Incarcerated , yep! that's right, I'm in the clink! Up the road!
Point is, is that I've never allowed this place to define who I am as a human being. So..... no matter how bad your personal situation is out there.... "never forget" who you, your soul is inside!
We are all warriors inside... or we're not. It's just like Rabbi Akiva said: " Everything is foreseen, yet freedom of choice is granted; the world is Judged with goodness, and everything is according to the preponderance of good deeds".
I therefore choose to fight for what I believe in; how about you?
With that I'd like to take this time to thank my beautiful wife: May she "never forget", that " I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine".
Boruch Hashem!
Always, The Gray Mensch Rabbi
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