Elul Unbound 2019: Other Resources
Books:
These books could be effectively utilized by individuals, or by book clubs, to explore themes of the month of Elul.
This is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared by Alan Lew:
A classic. Rabbi Lew, a fabulous writer and thinker, focuses on the meaning of this time and the deep spiritual renewal possible not just on the High Holy Days but on the whole cycle of Jewish holidays from Tisha B’Av, through the month of Elul, through Sukkot. Days and beyond. Of special note are Ch 1 (overview), Ch 4 (Elul), Ch 5 (Selichot).
After Abel and Other Stories by Michal Lemberger:
Rewrites of biblical stories give voice from the perspective of Eve, Lot's Wife, Miriam, Hagar, and other noted biblical women.
Testament Vol 1: Akedah by Daniel Rushkoff:
This graphic novel weaves between the biblical stories of the binding of Isaac and Sodom & Gomorrah, a dystopian high tech future and a little Greek Mythology.
Psalm 27:
By clicking the links below, you will find a variety of translators' interpretations of Psalm 27, which is traditionally associated with the month of Elul.
- Norman Fischer
- Nan C. Merrill
- Debbie Perlman (Psalm 27 can be found on page 10 of this link)
- Zalman Schachter-Shalomi
- Jewish Publication Society, 1917 (for a more traditional translation)
Image Credit: Aharon April
The Song of Songs:
The word "Elul" is spelled Aleph-Lamed-Vav-Lamed in Hebrew. This has been connected to the phrase “Ani L'dodi V'dodi Li" -- as the first letter of each of those words corresponds to the four letters that make up "Elul." The phrase means "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine," and comes from the Biblical book called The Song of Songs. You can find the full text of The Song of Songs, in Hebrew and English, at this link. For a summary of its contents, and a bit of history regarding the book's canonization and interpretations, click here.
Check out a mini-podcast, all about the role that Song of Songs could play in observing Elul today, by clicking here!
