Pearls of Elul 5786 - Day Five

August 17 | 4 Elul

A spiritual first thing to do in the morning.

Sunday is the day that follows Shabbat. In Hebrew, we refer to Sunday as Yom Rishon which literally means “the first day.”

Yesterday was Sunday. Today is Monday. The calendar we follow for our work week and school week starts today. For many is our neighborhood, no matter what we say in Hebrew, Monday is the first day of the week.

Open a traditional prayer book or a Reform prayerbook, and the first Hebrew words you will find will be the following:

Modeh/Modah ani l’fanecha…*

I offer thanks to You,

Ever-living Sovereign.

That You have restored my soul to me in mercy:

How great is Your trust.

While there is ample room for theological discussion about these words, note how they draw our attention to two things. First, that as our bodies are awaking, we should not overlook the gift of our souls. Second, and perhaps of equal if not greater importance, that we should start each day on a note of gratitude.

Try saying these words each morning as you begin to wake up, even before you get out of bed. Yes, they are found in the prayerbook, but they were designed to be said more organically, in those early waking moments. Begin today, tomorrow, and each day on a note of gratitude. And remember to pay attention to your soul.

*Since Hebrew is a language that uses different verbs for different genders, Modeh is to be said by boys/men and Modah is to be said by girls/women. The Reform Movement of Judaism allows for any of us to choose the version of this prayer that best fits who we really are. Again, the key focus is on our soul and on being grateful. Listen to the musical version of this prayer which we use at Temple Emanuel Greensboro as performed by the Cantor and Rabbi who wrote it here.