The seasonal call for personal introspection is a prerequisite for world transformation. Through it we learn to critique lovingly. We learn that we can create a new plan. We learn that our good intensions can succeed. Once we know that internal battles can be waged and won, we can turn our sights outwards. And dream of a better day for humanity and the Jewish people.Elul is our month of preparation. Tishrei is our month of spiritual action. And then Cheshvan moves us to external action; to Jews worldwide affirming that our obligation to pray together is made more meaningful by our obligation to act together. The deeper we go spiritually to strengthen our internal capacity for good, the more power we can marshal for the, perhaps, easier task of healing the world.
Yosef I. Abramowitz is co-founder of global Jewish Social Action Month and publisher of Sh’ma, JVibe, JBooks.com and SocialAction.com. www.jflmedia.com
