Elul Together - Supercharge the New Year

By Rabbi Ezra Max

AS WE ENTER THE MONTH OF ELUL, WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESET OUR LIVES. ARE YOU READY TO RECEIVE GIFTS FROM THE ALMIGHTY? DURING THE MONTH OF ELUL IT'S APPROPRIATE TO REFLECT, BE GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF THE GOOD THAT HAS TRANSPIRED THIS PAST YEAR, COURSE CORRECT AND REGROUP, ENVISION A BETTER FUTURE, PLAN AND RECEIVE IT. 

In order to see this vision come to fruition, we need to be prepared spiritually, physically, emotionally and rela­tionally, because we need to pray for spiritual growth, physical growth, healthy relationships and financial success.

Elul is also a special time to make amends. This is the best time to clean up our acts-to be remorseful for what we shouldn't have done--be ii our misbehavior toward G-d or between us and our fellow human beings. As we approach Rosh Hashanah, the New Year, we have the opportunity to reinvent ourselves.

FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE

It says that the wealth/income of a person is set." Personal finances are proscribed from one Rosh Hashanah lo the next Rosh Hashanah.'' There is a Heavenly Tribunal on Rosh Hashanah, that assigns each person's capacity for finances in the upcoming year. When an individual makes proper hishtodlut by praying, planning, executing and donat­ing appropriately, they will earn the most available for them.
Hishtadlut means efforts. Income is not determined by our efforts alone. Finances are determined by G-d. We make the best attempt possible within our means, then we let go and let G-d.

Interestingly, despite the tax year being from January to December, and the spiritual year being Rosh Hashana (September to September}, when I reviewed my tax year compared to the Rosh Hashana income, they were nearly identical.

Also, there is a direct relationship between charitable giving and financial success

RELATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

During Elul, we also work on ourselves in order to enter Yorn Kippur, the Day of Atonement, cleansed. Yorn Kippur atones and completes the spiritual cleansing between man and G-d. The rifts and hurt feelings between friends, family or frenemies are not 'cleansed' until one makes up and resolves the discord.

Now is the time to be grateful for both the good and the bad. Now is the time to clean up the past. Now is the time to envision the New Year when we will stand in prayer and ask for our needs and wants. Remember, "words cre­ate worlds."
Are you clear on what you want to declare for yourself? What will your sweet, healthy and happy New Year be?

We spend so much time avoiding, hiding and trying to escape our realities. We often forget that we have the ability to make choices and even shift our realities. The ability to make conscious choices is a gift from the Almighty.

It's time to stop hiding and escaping and chasing the bright and shiny objects that distract us from what truly matters. It's time to become self-aware and pay attention to what matters most.

What happens if we don't take this time lo reflect, plan and pray? We lose time. One day turns into two, and then, it's another year before we even realize it. While we may have good intentions, nothing changes if we don't have a plan and take action.

Without action, we are left with nothing but lost time. We can prevent this loss by asking ourselves (or working with someone to ask us} the right questions to clearly define what we desire and shift toward achieving it.

Today is your opportunity, your gift from G-d, to decide what you will do and who you will become. 

Now you can choose to supercharge this coming year.

Shana Tova U'Metuka