Meditations for the month of Elul - to assist the process of Tshuvah

Tuesday, August 30 - Rosh Chodesh Elul Aleph

Tshuvah is not only about other people. It starts with actions of self destruction first. What decisions did you make that in hind sight come from your lack of self love. When we truly look at ourselves sometimes it is hard to love ourselves. Push through that self doubt and hate. Love yourself by changing that decision that keeps you in the circle of self doubt and self hate.

Break the cycle by SEEING only the GOOD within yourself today and everyday.Add this admonition to your morning list to say after Modeh Ani:

Today i will love myself and forgive any errors in judgment i make to day.

Today is the First Day of Rosh Chodesh Elul. Elul is called chodesh hacheshbon, "a month of accounting,". It is also considered the month of preparation for the new spiritual year that begins with Rosh Hashana. The two themes of Elul—accounting and preparation—are interdependent, because how we account for the past is how we prepare for the future.

In Elul (the word in Aramaic means "searching") we examine the mistakes of the past year in order not to repeat them. In particular, this means taking an honest look at what is trapping us and preventing us from truly moving forward.

Record (written or digital recording) the answers to the question: Can i fundamentally change myself to become a different person? A person who is truly different from who i am today? Do i want to become that person that is truly different and improved from who i am right now?

Wednesday, August 31 - Rosh Chodesh Elul Bet

Is there one person that you love dearly but have not had time to show your appreciation of having them in your life? Find a way to show that appreciation today. Make a phone call or send some flowers maybe just an email to say I love you and apologize for being out of touch.

Is there an action that needs to be healed between you, that when healed through Tshuvah your love will grow to a greater level? Meditate on healing that action today, even if you just add it to your list of follow ups to do today.

In the Parasha of Lech Lecha Hashem tells Abraham to leave his land, his birthplace, and the home of his parents—three descriptions of his present location—and then, when it comes to the destination, He only tells him to go "to a land," without naming it or even hinting at where it is.

Many of the commentators teach that this is a 3 step process to leave our old patterns behind. Land is a metaphor for old pattern, birthplace is a metaphor for our original mental justification for this old pattern, and Home of our Parents is the metaphor for the deep seated reasonemotional reason why we do this pattern.

Today record one destructive pattern or habit that you want to leave behind. Try to identify the logical justification for doing the pattern and also your emotional need for the pattern. List one step that you can take to help change this pattern.

Thursday, September 1 - 2nd of Elul

What is the 1 thing that you want to have happen in your life this coming year? A lover? A new job? A good friend? An improved relationship? A Baby? Make a list of 3-5 things. Today, using your imagination, zone in on visualizing the first item on the list happening!

How do you feel? Wonderful? Happy? Serene? Content? Fulfilled?

Remember that feeling a few times today. Have the certainty that that item will manifest in your life from the spiritual work you are doing this month of Elul and Tishrai. Remeber that feeling again! No matter what happens today remember that feeling and use the knowledge that it will happen to protect against any down feelings during the day!

Now don't forget those other items on the list. Add them to the to do list for tomorrow

Another understanding we are taught about the three locations that Abraham is told to leave are 1) your land is the influence of your society that is so deep that you are not even aware of how it influences you; 2) Your parents home is another level of inherent attitudes you have absorbed from your parents and teachers. You may be aware of these or not. and 3)your birthplace represents your innate selffishness and self love.

Select one significant event from the past week. Identify how each of these 3 places influenced your reactions and decisions about the event. Record your answer for later review.

Friday, September 2 - 3rd of Elul

It is usually very difficult to be able to "see" ourselves. Today ask a close friend the following question. What do you think i should change about myself and what do you think i can improve about myself? No matter what they say or how hard it is for you to hear what they say remember to thank them for their honestly. Now ask someone who is an acquaintance only. Evaluate what each says to you.

Freedom is a highly valued spiritual goal in Torah. Breaking free of destructive and harmful patterns and habits is highly valued and is called "leaving Egypt" or Mitzrayim. The Hebrew word for Egypt literally means narrow or limited.

Identify 1 or more ways in which you limit or narrow your freedom by accepting the values and utilizing the values from your society, your parents, and your own selfishness. Record these as well.

Saturday, September 3 - 4th of Elul - Shabbat Tshuvah Sefardi

Every blockage you have with someone else is a blockage between you and the Light. As diplomatically as possible, approach some of these people and let them know that if in any way you have hurt or offended them, you are sincerely sorry. Whether or not they accept the apology is irrelevant because it is your willingness to humble yourself that reveals the Light for both you and them.

The Torah teaches that the only true freedom is Torah Study. Many people disagree with this because they experience Torah as a religion that they consider limiting. Do you feel constrained by the values you have learned from Torah? To what extant do these values represent man made or self made values as opposed to Godly values. Can you identify Godly values that will help you leave behind the pattern or habit you have identifed earlier this month? Commit to additional Torah Study of this value specifically. Record that committment.

Sunday, September 4 - 5th of Elul

Have you seen an improvement in someone else recently? Maybe they lost weight or changed their appearance, or no longer get so angry when someone speaks to them. Take note of one improvement in someone close to you and let them know that you have noticed the change. Don't forget to smile when you compliment them!

Sensitivity is a value that is taught by the Torah. Most people do not think of the Torah as actually teaching sensitivity. Yet that is what Tzadaka or charity is actually teaching us - sensitivity to other people. Blessings over food (before and after) is teaching us to be sensitive to other forms of consciousness even when we do not realize it. In what areas of your life do you need to be more sensitive? Identify them and record them. Perhaps decide to say a blessing over food at least one more time this coming year than you did this past year. Add a little more charity to your actions this year as well. Perhaps identify a cup or glass to be your Tzadaka tool. Put 3 coins in your Tzedaka tool at least once per day with the consciousness to increase your certainty that the item you want to manifest in your life this year will come to be (as recorded earlier in the month). When that Tzedaka tool is full send it to the charity of your choice, Hopefully that is Yeshshem.com.

Monday, September 5 - 6th of Elul

The Torah teaches that the antidote to being depressed, unhappy, and unfulfilled is none other than Appreciation.

When you are busy looking at the good others have done for you, your attention shifts away from focusing on what you don’t have. And you should know that your natural instinct is to look for the bad, so it is a constant struggle to maintain appreciation.

What are some of the things you are grateful for in your life? Record them to read or hear when you might be falling back from your good intentions for this coming year.

This is the fourth week of the seven weeks of consolation which are read in the Haftarot each Shabbat. Are you sensitive enough to console another person? Go to a hospital and visit someone you do not know who is sick! or perhaps visit an old age home and ask to visit someone who has no family to visit them! or smile at someone you do not know who is walking by you on the street, that also is considered consoling someone. Record how the actions made you feel!

Tuesday, September 6 - 7th of Elul

Think about one person from your past that you hurt and ask the person for forgiveness. If the person is no longer reachable because of distance or having passed on, meditate for their forgiveness. This means visualize the conversation you would have with them if they were standing in front of them. Include both sides of the conversation in your meditation. Some people find it convenient to ask a third person to play act/role the person they are asking foregiveness from. That is ok as well.

During Elul we think of God being more available, in fact he is right outside your front door waiting for you in the Field to walk up to him and ask him for help. What do you want to ask God? Where in your life do you need God's Help? Record a letter to God expressing this conversation with God. Ask God for help in the recording.

Some sages teach that the field where God is waiting is a metaphor for all of the mundane tasks of our lives. Choose one mundane task and elevate it to a level of Kedusha (Holiness). You need to think about how you will do that today. Record the method of making Holiness our of the Mundane. An example is to say a Blessing after going to the Bathroom! or Eating! or while making small talk with a friend bring in words of Torah. These are only examples. You will do much more powerful things than these. Just think about it. If nothing comes to mind then know that the thoughts are sufficient for this exercise today, try it again another time.

Wednesday, September 7 - 8th of Elul

During the month of Elul, our sages teach that while God is in the Field it is still up to us to initiate the process between us. What does it mean to initiate the process? At the Yam Suf (Sea of Limitation sometimes called the Red or Reed Sea) the splitting was initiated by 1 man with the certainty that God would provide and so he walked forward to see what would be provided by Hashem. What do you need to do to initiate the flow of love between you and Hashem? Is it prayer? Is it interacting with other people who are in your life as channels between you and Hashem? Do you need to expand your certainty that Hashem will provide for you and yours? How will you initiate your year ahead? How do you want that year to happen in your life? Record the answers to these questions!

Go out of your comfort zone by being extra patient and loving to every person you meet, weather new in your life or a lifetime relationship. When you go out of your comfort zone Hashem, who knows all, interprets that as an initiation of effort and his flow of love starts to develop in your life!

Thursday, September 8 - 9th of Elul

Repression is a defense mechanism that allows us to forget unwanted episodes in our life until we are ready to process them in a healthy way. Repression is a tool that works both ways - for the positive and for the negative systems. Are you ready to process those events you have repressed. This is a technique that will be outside your comfort zone. Look within yourself and see if you can remember any emotionally charged life events from your past that you are afraid to confront. Record them and also if you are able record how you want to bring them back into your direct consciousness. Do you need to do Tshuvah with them? Do you need outside assistance to bring them to your consiouness? Write to yeshshem@hotmail.com and ask for assistance. This is also considered going outside your comfort zone!

Friday, September 9 - 10th of Elul

Think about someone who is presently in your life that you find difficult at this moment. Now look for something good in this person. Call them and tell them about how impressed you are with this good trait within them and thank them for being your teacher. Watch how the difficulty changes. Record what good you see in each person in your life who you had difficulty with in the past. Maybe you can call up that person and do the same thing of thanking them for being your teacher about this wonderful trait they have. What if you can think of a good trait, think about your good traits and how those same traits must be in the other person because they are your mirror.

Don’t answer any criticisms today. Do not try to be right and come out on top. Just quietly note the comments, no matter what people say to you. Not answering back is definitely out of everyone's comfort zone. record the comments people say to you and also what you wanted to say back in order to be right but didnot.

The Zohar and the Talmud teaches that the central desire of every human being is to get closer to the creator. This of course can be a very veiled desire. In the metaphorical words of the Torah Everyone wants to see God's face! Spend a few minutes today contemplating what it means to see God's face! Record your thoughts on this subject for later review!

Saturday, September 10 - 11th of Elul - Shabbat Ki Teitzei

Practice compassionate listening. Resist interrupting with your opinion. Just maintain eye contact and be there for the speaker.

Think back to 1 experience where you needed to be right. Now relive that experience through meditation but this time let go of the need to be right. How do you feel? More or less comfortable. Record your thoughts about this issue for later review.

Sunday, September 11 - 12th of Elul

Surprise a friend or family member with something he or she loves the most.

Keeping our eye on the destination is the secret to happiness. Once we start to loose sight of the destination we start to fall spiritually. What is your present destination or goal in life? what is your final destination in this lifetime? record these answers for later review.

Monday, September 12 - 13th of Elul

There is a paradox between the transendant aspect of God and the imminant aspect of God. We can not see God and live but we can emulate his traits including the transendant aspect we call Holyness. What does it take to be Holy in your mind? in your life? Reflect on that question and record your answers for later review.

Life is a paradox. If you want to be loved, give love. If you want appreciation, appreciate others. This is the best way to get what you really want. This spiritual truth is best practiced by giving to others first what it is you truly want. Do you know what you truly want? Verbalize it. Now find a way to give it to someone else first.

Tuesday, September 13 - 14th of Elul

Sensitivity is today’s motto: Look closely at the people around you – beyond the surface. Ask yourself, “What are they really feeling?”

Let's be sensitive to ourselves. What are you truly feeling right now? Where are you feeling a lack? How do you want your life to change next year for the better? record your answers

Wednesday, September 14 - 15th of Elul

Today is the full moon. That means all of the energy of the sun filtered through the Virgo aspect of looking at details is available for you to see yourself. What do you see? What do you feel needs to be changed about yourself? Do you love yourself? In what way can you change yourself to be more lovable. Record what you want to change about yourself for later review.

Meditate today on cleansing the past (and thereby changing the future). Your meditation should start with picturing a specific incident from the past and turning it into a blessing.

Thursday, September 15 - 16th of Elul

Do an act of sharing without making it known that you are the one responsible. Do you want to do something like that again? Why or Why not?

We're told that the great 15th century Kabbalist, the Ari, could read people's faces. And many people, when they would pass him on the street, would cover their faces because they felt that he saw past the mask and they were ashamed.

Ask yourself: If the Ari was walking the earth today, would you want him to see your face? Would you be ashamed too? To what extent is your face a mask for feelings you want to hide? To what extent does it reveal your inner core of holiness? happyness? serenity?

consider how can you match your outer face to your inner being? Record these thoughts for later review

Friday, September 16 - 17th of Elul

So how do you get unstuck? By sharing and thinking of others. Think how you can help, how can you be more sensitive. Maybe it’s as simple as lending an ear and really listening to someone. When was the last time you listened 100% to someone?

Call a friend and ask them to listen to you! What can you say? What do you want to say?

Saturday, September 17 - 18th of Elul - Shabbat Ki Tavo

Kabbalists stress the importance of never forgetting a good deed someone has done for you. Recall someone who helped you out in a major way but with whom you no longer speak. Find a way to do something nice for them. If it isn’t possible, then send them loving thoughts.

Saturday, September 17 - 18th of Elul - Shabbat Ki Tavo

Kabbalists stress the importance of never forgetting a good deed someone has done for you. Recall someone who helped you out in a major way but with whom you no longer speak. Find a way to do something nice for them. If it isn’t possible, then send them loving thoughts.

It is appropriate to learn what Tshuvah truly means. In Hebrew it means Tashuv + letter Hay! Tashuv means to return, while the letter Hay can be a metaphor for Hashem, or the physical world. Returning means that you have not made a wrong turn but are returning home to the place you should have never left. Today reflect on the meaning of Tshuvah! Record your thoughts about that place that you want to return to! Is it the home you knew as a child or a new home you plan to build. Perhaps you want to return to your own divine essence! Where will you return?

Sunday, September 18 - 19th of Elul

Purify your personal space and your private life today by paying close attention to the people you hang out with and the places you hang out in. You might need to re-evaluate who you let into your life. Also you might need to evaluate why you have let these people and places into your life and space!

After the sin of the Golden Calf, Moshe did not just return to God. He first took actions of cleansing. First the people involved were removed and punished. Then he reestablished order in the camp and finally he motivated the people to and move towards Tshuvah. We need to learn from Moshe that this process also applies to our own mistakes. Pick one small mistake that you have made. Now plan how you can take similar actions to Moshe. Who are the people and other entities involved? How can you remove them? Do they need to be punished? Have you established order in your life as a consequence of realizing your mistake? How would you do that? What is your sharing reason for doing Tshuvah?

Monday, September 19 - 20th of Elul

Do you love yourself? Don’t be afraid to appreciate yourself and the uniqueness that is you. If the Light created you and put all this energy into you, you must be something special. Reflect upon and record areas that you consider yourself unique. Also record the areas of your life that you consider yourself less than unique. Are there any areas of your life you want to change to become unique?

The midrash teaches that when Moshe was arguing with God in order to save the Nation after the sin of the Golden Calf he persuaded God to open the Gate of Tears. Our sages teach that we can damage the body, we can damage the psyche, we can never damage the soul, dirty it perhaps but never damage it. Also the sages teach that "tears bathe the soul"! Where in your life, this past year, did you damage your body, your psyche, or dirty your soul that it seems there is no undoing it? Where in your life do you need to Cry in order to bathe your soul? What is blocking you from crying?

Tuesday, September 20 - 21st of Elul

Pick one person who hurt you in your childhood and ask yourself if you can find it in your heart to forgive them. I know it is hard to let go of the painful memories, but you are only hurting yourself by keeping a grudge. Perhaps there is one hurt where you can rise to the level of not forgiving that person but instead asking that person to forgive you for causing them to hurt you. Yes read that again! Now let us explain!

Kabbalah teaches that the highest level of forgiveness is to realize that the pain you felt was necessary as a cleansing of an negative action you have done or as a wake up call. The person who, on the physical level was the channel for that pain did not have to be the channel. They allowed themselves to be the channel and therefore they will receive the effect of their negative action. But truly what is the cause of their receiving this negative effect? It is you because you needed to receive this pain. When one realizes this truth one has the need to ask the person who hurt them to forgive them for needing this pain that eventually will lead to their own chaos. You do not have to do this on the physical level because most people do not study Kabbalah yet and would consider this kind of discussion a bit strange. Just visualize the conversation and whisper your apology privately.

Wednesday, September 21 - 22nd of Elul

It is not a happy time when you realize how negatively you act towards yourself and others. But don’t freak out too much. If you do the work of self transformation, your selfish actions will become blessings. The more negativity there was, the larger the positive opening will be. Remember the person who does Tshuvah stands at a higher level than even the Tzadik.

Focus on one area where you are not exactly acting like an angel. Decide now that you are going to change it. Record that plan for later review but start to implement the plan immediately

Kabbalah teaches that the only way to Kosher an earthen vessel is to break it. Of course that seems silly but when we realize that our body is an earthen vessel and most sensitive part of our eartrhen vessel is our heart which needs to be broken to become kosher again. Today remember when your heart was broken. was it a step closer to God or do you still remain a broken vessel? Today take a step closer to God by crying for your broken heart and entering the Gate of Tears!

Thursday, September 22 - 23rd of Elul

“Maybe someday I won’t be so lonely.” “Maybe someday I’ll feel happiness.” “Maybe someday I’ll be spiritual.” If you’re thinking this way, your someday will never come. Change the litany of crying to TODAY not someday! Today i won't be so lonely, Today i will feel happiness. Today i will walk upon a spiritual path!

The fulfillment you seek is a reality that’s happening right now. You just need to peel back the layers of illusion set in place by your mind. The truth is where you are right now is exactly where you need to be. When you realize that God's plan is happening now and your part of it, you will be able to peel back the layers of illusion.

What are some of the maybes you are rolling around in your mind? Record them for later review!

there are 3 levels of consciousness that are taught in Kabbalah. They are emunah, bitachon, and Vaday. They are words that are not easy to translate. Emunah relates to faith and belief. Bitachon relates to Trust and Dependance. Vaday relates to certainty and experience. Bring an event from life where you lacked any of these levels as it relates to your expectation of what should have happened and did not. Now use the tool of Tshuvah and relive that event with the new you (the you of today who has one of these levels of consciousness). The idea of this exercise is to remove any essence of doubt from your life.

Friday, September 23 - 24th of elul

If you’re human, then you get angry with your friends and family. They disappoint you, they don’t get you, or they are simply rude to you. In essence they do not do what you want them to do.

Unfortunately, anger and resentment leads to broken relationships. It is only in retrospect, after they have gone, that you regret letting silly fights separate you.

Pick at least one person in your life with whom you’ve become estranged. Remember what it is you loved about that person and reach out to them, first in your heart and then by phone, letter, or email. Life is too short to let petty arguments keep you from the people who mean the most to you. If you have no way to reach them then visualize them standing or sitting with you and have that conversation that might heal the hurt and broken relationship.

As we approach tomorrow the day the universe was created, or a week from today which is the day Man was created in the Garden of Eden, we know we are less than our ancestors spiritually so how can we know what to do and how do we help ourselves acheive spiritually what our Patriarchs and Matriarchs acheived? Delve into the following metaphor to realize you have the power and strength of the light that they revealed for you to rely upon.

Nine generations ago, the Baal Shem Tov would go to a special place on Rosh Hashana, he would light a fire in a special way, say a special prayer, and as a result the entire world would be blessed.

In the next generation, his successors knew the location of the special place and they knew how to light the fire but they forgot the prayers. So instead, they would pray, "Whatever the Baal Shem Tov achieved here with the fire, we should achieve."

The next generation knew the location but they forgot the rest. So they just stood in the location and said, "Whatever the Baal Shem Tov achieved here, we should achieve."

Today, we have forgotten even the location. So what do we do? We tell the story... and make the statement. Whatever the Baal Shem Tov achieved on Rosh Hashana when he went to that special place and light the fire in that special way, and say a special prayer, we should acheive because God is a merciful God and our forefathers all many hundreds of generations have revealed light to assist us in our spiritual growth. God, We actually do not have to redo their spiritual work. Our job is to move on from where they left off. God please assist us in this endeavor.

We are asked to do only that which we are capable of. We do not have to be like the giants of the past. We just have to do what is in our power—stand on their shoulders. When we do so we lay claim to everything they achieved plus we add our own small part—and that small part, added to the good deeds of our ancestors, might, no will be, just be enough to tip the scales and bring redemption.

Ask yourself: Do you know what your small part in this world is? Contemplate what you can add to the work of the giants of the past. Record your thoughts for later review.

Saturday, September 24 - 25th of Elul - Shabbat Tshuvah Ashkenazi - Creation of the World

When was the last time you met someone new? Not been introduced to someone but met them because they looked lost or too busy to stop. Perhaps you might ask them the time and in that small way introduce yourself or make a later phone call to introduce yourself and learn about them through the listening skill you practiced earlier in this process. Most of us stop meeting people because we pre-judge strangers by the way they look, talk, act, and smell. Think about that as you decide to meet someone new today. Practice seeing beyond the physical appearance and directly into the soul.

In our prayers before and during the High Holiday we repeatedly ask G-d to forgive us in three different ways:

selach lanu

mechal lanu

kapper lanu

While these Hebrew words are virtually synonymous—all meaning "forgive us"—they have different implications which shed light on the process of seeking forgiveness from G-d as well as from other human beings.

Selach lanu comes from selichah meaning "pardon." To ask for pardon is to say to the one we have injured: "I am sorry for what I did; I sincerely regret having done it, and I will never do it again." According to Jewish law, the appropriate response to this request is for the one we've injured to believe we are sincere and to respond positively. One who refuses to do this is considered a cruel person.

Mechal lanu comes from mechilah, meaning "wiping away." Here, we are asking the one we've injured to wipe away the transgression as if it never happened, and restore the relationship to the former level of warmth and intimacy. For the one who has been injured a positive response to this is naturally difficult. But it is within each person's G-d-given powers to forgive to this extent. Hence, one must, according to Jewish law.

Kapper lanu comes from kapparah, meaning "atonement" (as in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement). When we request from the one we've injured to grant us atonement, we are saying, in effect, "My conscience will not let me live with myself, because of what I did to you and to our relationship. Please forgive me and take away the guilt and hurt that I feel." To respond positively to this is beyond human capacity. It is only G-d who can reach inside our hearts and say, "Be consoled."

Ask yourself: How have you responded when someone has come to you asking forgiveness? Have you forgiven others as completely as you

Make a list of the people who you have forgiven but now would like to reach the level that is expected of the Godly, the righteous. The level of Kapparah. You expect it from Hashem then first give it to the people on your list. Since it might be considered Chutzpah to do this in public have this conversation with each of these people on the spiritual plane but verbalize it quietly. I give you Kapparah for the act that you asked me to forgive you for.

Sunday, September 25 - 26th of elul - 2nd Day of Creation - Separation of the Waters

Have you ever noticed that the last five minutes of a workout are always the hardest? Or the last minutes of anything we do? There is a dark force at play whose singular mission is to stop us from finishing the job.

As you go through your day, pay attention to the moments you feel like quitting. Push yourself to go a little longer than you think you can.

We recite these Thirteen Attributes of Compassion many times during the High Holidays:

"Hashem, Hashem, Almighty, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in kindness and truth, keeper of kindness for thousands of generations, endurer of iniquity and transgression and sin, and cleanser ." (Exodus 34:6-7)

We say this in the Hebrew only in a Minyan or while singing it

Each one of these words is profoundly mystical and contains enormous Divine energy. The Thirteen Attributes of Compassion are described in the Zohar, the classical work of the Kabbalah, as the "thirteen-petalled rose"—the greatest secret of life, the key how to repair whatever is broken.

Have you ever been broken? Do you feel broken now? sometime today? When ever you feel broken say the Thirteen attributes of Compassion.

According to Talmud, Hashem told Moses: "Whenever Israel sins, let them recite this and I will forgive them."

The repetition of G-d's name—Hashem, Hashem—at the beginning indicates that G-d is telling us, "I am the same G-d before you sin as I am after you sin and repent." This is a solemn assurance that the invocation of the Thirteen Attributes of Compassion will never be without effect.

This assurance means that repentance is always possible and that G-d always awaits our return to Him. The implication is also plain that if we emulate G-d's compassionate ways, He will treat us compassionately in return.

Today do an act of compassion. Can not find an act of compassion to do? Invite one of your new friends from a few days ago to a cup of soup! or help serve in a soup question which is a good place to just listen to a person who needs someone to listen to them.

Monday, September 26 - 27th of Elul - 3rd Day of Creation - Revealment of the Earth

In reality, when you hurt another person, you are really hurting yourself.

Think of one person you hurt in your life – someone you were in a romantic relationship with. Feel the pain. In your mind and heart, ask the person to forgive you. If it is possible, and if it feels right, contact that person and apologize for hurting them. This entire process will remove major blockages from all of your current relationships.

Today contemplate Compassion. Compassion is not a contradiction of Justice. It is true that foregiveness is part of compassion yet it does not mean to look the other way and ignore what someone does to you. Compassion is being sensitive to the needs of the other person soul. Compassion also means extending ourselves past our comfort zone out of love for the other soul.

Compassion can be cultivated. If you are a compassionate person you can be more compassionate to more people.

What does it mean for you to go out of your comfort zone to be compassionate with or to another person? Record that answer. Find someone today to extend your compassion towards. Remember compassion is not feeling sorry for someone.

Tuesday, September 27 - 28th of Elul - 4th Day of Creation - Sun and Moon and Stars Created

Sometimes we are our own worst enemy. We allow our ego to get in the way of our success. We cling to our own opinions even when they are wrong. Like a boiling egg, we get denser and denser as someone tries to convince us otherwise.

Today, practice releasing your stubbornness, your need to be right. Even when you know you are right, let it go.

Today the moon was asked to "diminish herself". Try to Understand the midrash on a deeper level today. The midrash says the moon went to God and asked How can you have 2 Kings? God said your right not go and diminish yourself. Ask your self the following questions. Did God make a mistake (Has V'shalom)? Why can not there be two kings? How can you emulate the diminishment of the moon by the diminishment of your ego? How can you assist the return of the Moon (female) to her initial llevel so that both male and female together will grow 7 levels?

Wednesday, September 28 - 29th of Elul - 5th Day of Creation - Living Water Creatures and flying Fowl

It is a good morning to annul vows.

Erev Rosh Hashana - Every Human dies and is reborn with sufficient energy to reach Day 22. The day of Hoshan Rabah.

Advice is the biggest vice. Everyone is guilty of giving advice at one time or another. We start to learn spirituality, and the next thing you know we are on our soapboxes, fingers flapping, sermonizing to anyone who says so much as hello to us.

Pay attention today to your addiction of giving advice. Practice listening more and offering your opinions less.

Unconditional Love is a difficult trait to cultivate since our self orientation is so paramount in our essences. What does it mean to love unconditionally? When someone rejects you and you still say I am here for you. Yes i heard you say no you don't want my help but i am here to listen to you anyway if you want. This is Unconditional Love. Are you capable of this? Think of a moment when you were told "go away" and you did. Do you still think you did the right thing? When have you sent someone away? Are you prepared to invite them back into your life? Record your thoughts on these questions for later review

Thursday, September 29 - Rosh Hashana Day 1 - Day of Harsh Judgment - Sixth Day of Creation - Today we have a timetable of exactly what happened hour by hour.

Today we will again recite Avinu Malkeinu - Our father Our King. Or is it Our father is our king. Truthfully what is the difference between our father and our king? Try to comtemplate this question each time you say these words during the day. Do you want Hashem to be your Father or your King? The choice is yours!

Friday, September 30 - Rosh Hashana Day 2 - Day of less harsh Judgment - This is the Seventh Day of Creation. This day Hashem completed the work of creation and then he rested.

Today you will again hear the Shofar. The sounds of the Shofar are a metaphor for blowing up the chaos missles that are hanging around the universes waiting for permission to blow up in our lives. Today while listening to the Shofar contemplate this gematria relationship. The Shofar is spelled in Hebrew שופר. The first 2 letters have a gematria of 306. Issac has a gematria of 208 and represents a metaphorical example of our souls after correction. the difference between 306 and 208 is 98. 98 is a number dealing with cleansing as the sages teach there are 98 curses in the Torah. The last 2 letters spell the word Par which is translated as a bull (a male cow). The gematria of Par is 280 the same gematria as the 5 final letters. 280 is the Hebrew word Coach (gematria 28) times 10. Coach translates as power or stength.

One lesson that is taught from these numerical relationships is "To reach complete correction our souls must first cleanse and then they will reach their true power to utilize all 28 times that Hashem has created.

Can you realize other spiritual laws from the Shofar?

Saturday, October 1 - 3rd of Tishrai - Shabbat Ha'azinu; Shabbat Tshuvah; Fast of Gedalia Deferred.

This is the first Shabbat of the new year. Your actions will affect every Shabbat of the year. Do additional Torah study this day

During the past 2 days we asked Hashem to "Remember us for life, King Who desires life, inscribe us in the Book of Life, for Your sake, O Living G-d." What are you willing to change about yourself or your life so that you are written in the Book of LIfe and not the other one? Record your thoughts on this question for later review

Sunday, October 2 - 4th of Tishrai - Fast of Gedalia implemented.

This is the first Sunday of the year. All of the actions you do today will impact all of the Sunday's of this year. Are you ready to review your recordings from earlier questions?

You recorded the answer to the following question on August 30.

Can i fundamentally change myself to become a different person? A person who is truly different from who i am today? Do i want to become that person that is truly different and improved from who i am right now?

After reading your recordings what item will you choose to change about yourself today? Why? What do you need to do to change yourself? What habit will you use to replace your bad habit

you

Put the balance of your items to be changed away for a later session.

Monday, October 3 - 5th of Tishrai

This is the first Monday of the year. All of the actions you do today will impact all of the Monday's of this year.

We are used to pray for health, livlihood, and long life. Yet in the divine plan these are just tools to use to discover our actual purpose on earth for this lifetime.

Another tool to reveal to yourself your purpose in this lifetime is: Record your five or 10 most pleasurable moments in your life. Do not use the generic pleasure moments like sunsets or beautiful llocations. Use the specific scenes of pleasure you have experienced.

Does something reveal itself to you from this list? Don't worry if it does not. We will look at this list later.

Tuesday, October 4 - 6th of Tishrai

This is the first Tuesday of the year. All of the actions you do today will impact all of the Tuesday's of the year.

Now write or record what would you change about your life if you had a billion dollors in the bank. And i had 6 hours a day of discretionary time. What would i do with that time?

Does anything come to mind from this exercise as to what am i to do with this life?

Wednesday, October 5 - 7th of Tishrai

This is the first Wednesday of the year. All of the actions you do today will impact all of the Wednesday's of the year.

Compare the 3 lists from the last 3 days. What is the same on all 3? What is different on all 3 lists?

Does anything make itself clear to you from this exercise ? record it, Now review the other items you recorded earlier in this process. Review the North Node information from your chart and the energy verses from your name - both are available on the Yeshshem website.

what do you think you are supposed to do with your life?

Thursday, October 6 - 8th of Tishrai

This is the first Thursday of the year. All of the actions you do today will impact all of the Thursday's of the year.

Decide what it is you plan to do with your life. Now how will you implement this plan this year. Prepare for Yom Kippur by thinking about each month ahead during the year. Record some goals to happen by the end of each month starting with Tishrai

Friday, October 7 - 9th of Tishrai

Erev Yom Kippur - Kol Nidre

This is the first Friday of the year. All of the actions you do today will impact all of teh Friday's of the year.

This day is best spent eating additional meals which are recorded as additional fasting efforts in the spiritual system. Also performing Kapporot ritual is beneficial.

Saturday, October 8 - 10th of Tishrai - Yom Kippur

During your 5 large meals today review your list and plans for the year. Visualize yourself acheiving these goals each month. Visualize how you want your year to flow during the day and culminate it during the Prayer of Ne'ilah.