In another era the shortening days and pomegranates ripening on the trees would take me to place of anticipation and even excitement as we approach Rosh HaShana, and the holidays of the month of Tishrei. Despite the seriousness of the time of year, including the preparations in Elul, there was always a feeling of almost excitement at the thought of a new chance and new beginnings. We are given this special opportunity to reflect, contemplate and dedicate ourselves anew to making the most out of our short sojourn in this world. However, this year has a more intense feeling of heaviness as we continue to reel from the events of the last year, challenged daily to stay positive in the face of the longest active conflict that most of us have ever experienced.
But among all the profound loss and unimaginable suffering are also the inspirational stories from the countless heroes and heroines, that in a ‘normal’ life we would never have heard of. Despite the spectrum of age, socio-economic standing and religious persuasion of those impacted, their underlying message is incredibly similar. They speak of the need to recognize how amazing we as a people are, that our strength lies in our unity and there is more that unites than divides us. And many of the survivors speak of the need to find a meaningful direction for their life or to make changes that will increase the level of meaning. And those who don’t speak of it, show by example, in the way they are managing to rearrange the pieces of their broken hearts and forge a giving path forward.
The month of Elul and Rosh HaShana are generally a period of reflection and introspection. However, as we stand on the cusp of a New Year the necessary personal self-examination has a heightened significance. We may be doing the same things we did in previous years – looking inward, taking stock of our lives, evaluating our actions, and making amends where necessary – but this year it feels much more urgent. It shouldn’t necessarily be that way had we internalized the messages of this season over the years, but it does hit much closer to home this year. The need to find purpose in our lives, to make a difference in the world, has become a driving force for many.
Take a few minutes during this month of Elul to sit down and contemplate your life – the personal, social, professional, spiritual and even financial elements that uniquely form who you are. I will leave it for other professionals to focus on their areas of expertise, and instead share some thoughts connected to the financial realm.
We need to remember that our finances are a means to an end. Rather than get caught up in a materialistic cycle of increasing consumerism, we need to ensure that our spending habits reflect our true values and priorities in life. Working out what is sincerely important should help us to determine what we want to prioritize in our monthly and yearly spending.
Because everyone’s circumstances are unique (even more so over the last year because of our individual situations) I can’t know your specific difficulties or the questions that you are facing, let alone the answers, but here are some general contemplations with which to get started.
- How much money do we honestly need to earn/spend monthly to be happy and to achieve our goals on this earth (which are definitely not synonymous)?
- Are we living in the location that we ultimately want to be and how does this location impact on the pressure we feel to keep up with the Jones family next door?
- Should that nicer car, extra trip, or new electronic gadget really become the center of our financial lives? Lowering our standard of living might feel liberating if we choose it.
- Are there financial commitments that are dragging us down and causing unnecessary stress? If so, what possible solutions are available to reduce the stress and worry?
- Is our tzedakah, charitable giving, keeping up with our finances? Are we sharing the wealth appropriately with those in need?
- What do we want our finances to look like by next year? In five years? In ten years? In retirement? And what do we need to do now to make this happen?
As we prepare to enter the New Year, despite the feelings of uncertainty, pain and suffering there is also a sense of hope, of determination, and of resilience. The journey towards Rosh Hashanah is one of finding ways to move forward towards the future that we will write.
The heroes and heroines of this past year remind us that even in the face of struggles and difficulties, there is still the possibility of renewal and growth. They inspire us to use our energy and our resources to find meaning in our lives, and to approach the New Year with a new sense of purpose and hope.
May Hashem guide us all and give us the wisdom and strength to find a meaningful path as part of a united Jewish people.
Wishing you a ketiva v’chatima tova as we continue to pray for the safe return of our hostages, the safety of our soldiers in all their missions, and the security of our nation.