Elul day 4--Can I be joyful today?

Today is the 4th day of Elul.  In less than a month it will be Rosh Hashnah.  We blow shofar now to wake us up and remind us of the imminence of the Holy Day, but what about the most holy of days--the one that is NOW?

What if we recognized the holiness of TODAY?

 

What is special about today in your life?  

What are you thankful for?  

Who have you helped today?  

Who have you asked forgiveness from today?  

For whom have you prayed for healing today?  

With whom have you given or received a hug?

THIS is the day that God has made, let us celebrate and rejoice in it - “Zeh hayom asah Adonai, nagilah v'nismecha vo”

Right now I stand on the precipice with a loved one in surgery.  As I pray for healing, I look forward to hearing good news this evening, but where can I find joy RIGHT NOW?  

It’s time to relieve the babysitter and spend the afternoon with my almost four year old daughter after her first day back at school.  Today and everyday, I hope I am as grateful for the time to share with her!  Love to all.

Koren Tehillim

Since I have been a subscriber of the Koren Talmud, I've made friends with their publicity department and they occasionally send me interesting new books that they are publishing.  Thanks Koren Publishers!

Right before the chagim, I received a couple things, one of which I would love to share with you today. http://korenpub.com/koren/intusd/tanakh/tehillim-psalms/koren-tehillim.html

While not the smallest or lightest copy of the book of Psalms, this might be the most useful and beautiful one.  The Koren font is fabulous and easy to read, with their standard practice of English on the right and Hebrew on the left creating a beautiful tree-like image on each page.  Commentaries are straightforward and help individuals connect the psalms to daily life.  Most useful are the pages at the end, with prayers for healing, at a cemetery and at bedtime.  Since those times are when many people are most likely to recite psalms, having them available is a great resource.  I highly recommend this volume.

From their website:
"With his modern and accessible translation, Rabbi Eli Cashdan brings out the lyrical elegance of the Psalms and offers clarity to the English reader. The text is accompanied by a sensitive analysis and commentary by Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, communal leader, qualified psychotherapist and the Executive Vice President Emeritus of the Orthodox Union. Rabbi Weinreb is a distinguished scholar who brings from his many disciplines, an insightful and innovative approach to the understanding of Tehillim."