Beth El Synagogue

During the month of Elul we prepare our selves for the Rosh HaShannah and Yom Kippur. Elul is a time for Teshuvah—response to the life that we have lived during the past year. Teshuvah also means “returning” to a path of living that we know will enrich us—a path that is certainly worth the effort to achieve, albeit far from easy! These are formidable projects! There is a custom, however, which spurs us on and strengthens us for the task: Each weekday morning the Shofar is sounded in public prayer services and in private homes. A resonance of the approaching Days of Awe! A reminder! An encouragement! A note of urgency!

The Beth El Website is now equipped with a recording of the Shofar so that you can enlist its notes in your own service for each of the days of Elul. In addition, you will be able to hear excerpts from Psalm 27, which is the chapter of Psalms that we recite from the beginning of Elul until the very end of the autumn holidays. May the sound of the Shofar and the Psalm verses help you to move purposefully towards a new year that is most richly renewed!

Rabbi Sager

A Psalm of David.

The Lord is my light and my help;
whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the strength of my life;
whom shall I dread?

When evildoers draw near to slander me,
when foes threaten, they stumble and fall.

Though armies be arrayed against me,
I will have no fear;

Though wars threaten, I remain steadfast in my faith.

One thing I ask of the Lord, for this I yearn:
To dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of my life,
to behold the graciousness of the Lord, and to pray in His sancturary.

He will hide me in His shrine, safe from peril.
He will shelter me beyond the reach of disaster.

He will raise my head high above my enemies.
I will bring Him offerings with shouts of joy,
singing, chanting praise to the Lord.

O Lord, hear my voice when I call;
be gracious to me and answer.

It is You that I seek, says my heart.
It is Your Presence that I seek, O Lord.

Hide not from me; reject not Your servant.

Your have always been my help, do not abandon me.
Forsake me not, my God of deliverance.

Though my father and my mother leave me,
the LORD will care for me.

Teach me Your way, O Lord;
guide me on the right path, to confound my oppressors.

Abandon me not to the will of my foes.

False witnesses have risen against me,
people who breathe out lies.

Mine is the faith that I surely shall see
the Lord's goodness in the land of the living.

Hope in the Lord and be strong.
Take courage, hope in the Lord.

PSALM 27

WELCOME