Elul Day 8

Dear Elul Writers,

More than forty years ago, R’ Adin Steinsaltz, of blessed memory, wrote a slim volume called Teshuvah (sometimes you’ve gotta keep it simple). The book focuses less on the paths of repentance and repair and more on the challenges of taking on religious observance. The writing is thoughtful and approachable, with a surprising amount of warmth from an esteemed scholar of his generation. When he does write about teshuvah, more generally, he does so in a way that resonates. He writes, “All forms of teshuvah, however diverse and complex, have a common core: the belief that human beings have it in their power to affect inward change.” It is straightforward and feels pretty much right on.

The chapter of this book that caught my attention most fully was entitled, All or Nothing: The False Dilemma. In it, the great Talmudist and translator asserts that the desire to make comprehensive and definitive change can actually be a barrier to engagement with our spiritual lives. 

The spiritual and intellectual need to make some final, clear-cut choice of path is a great stumbling block for many, particularly the more sensitive and thoughtful. For while the dilemma is real, the notion that it must be resolved all at once, in so final and unequivocal a way, is mistaken and dangerous. A choice between “all or nothing” is inappropriate, in terms both of the essential character of Judaism itself and of any sort of authentic personal relationship to it.

I love how articulately and forcefully Steinsaltz points out the dangers of “all or nothing” thinking. It is not just ineffective, it is also inappropriate. While this is advice that I often give to my students, I can’t say that I am completely immune from this type of thinking. It is a stumbling block that I’m aware of, but I still sometimes catch my foot on. So, I appreciate that Steinsaltz gently reminds the reader that spiritual growth and refinement is not all at once, rather it is a process. 

Prompt

Before we get too far into the month, it is worth remembering that a little by little approach is appropriate. I do want to encourage us to consider the particular places where we can grow this month and this year. But, instead of imagining the perfect, imagine the ‘good enough’ or imagine the ‘some of the time’. Setting aside “all or nothing” thinking, what are the things that you can ‘sort of’ do? Is there a particular mitzvah or spiritual practice that you want to try on for size? 

Take care,

Jordan

p.s. All the more so, Elul prompts are not “all or nothing.” People will tell me, “Oh, I’ve fallen behind” or “I got really busy around Day 6.”  You have my permission to just skip Day 6! Don’t let the desire to be exhaustive become a stumbling block.