Teaching Jewish Roots
A Drop of Light from Zion

[not proofread]

The month of Elul – 5784

This final month in the Jewish calendar is known for its theme of seeking forgiveness, in preparation for the upcoming days of cleansing and renewal.

According to Jewish tradition, this is the season when the Shepherd of Israel goes into His fields and inspects his sheep, one by one. During the ten days between the Blowing Trumpets (Tishrei 1) and the Atonement (Tishrei 10), He decides each one’s future for the next year.

We are called to humble ourselves beforehand, with solemn self-inspection and confession, so that we can receive mercy for our transgressions, healing for our defects, and support for our weaknesses.

We can even dare to ask for “revival” – a well-known term in the Christian world that was borrowed from the Jewish faith. In Hebrew, the verb “to revive” is lechayot (from chayim), and it often means bringing the dead back to life:

“You who have shown me many troubles and distresses will revive me again [tashuv techayeni], and will bring me up again from the depths of the earth.” (Ps. 71:20)

“Come, let’s return to the LORD. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. He will revive us [yechayenu] after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, that we may live before Him.” (Hosea 6:1-2)

Notice that as individuals, we must take the first step and “return to the LORD.” This involves deeds more than words – becoming obedient to His commands (Neh. 1:9) and getting rid of anything that offends Him (Jer. 4:1). Moreover, it begins in the heart rather than in outward actions (Joel 2:13). Afflicting ourselves on Yom Kippur means nothing unless we have freed others from affliction (Isa. 58:3-7). In this respect, we can all find room for personal tikkun (repair and restoration).

But in the case of nation’s spiritual revival, Israel cannot make the first move; the nation is paralyzed with hopelessness: “Son of man, these bones are the entire house of Israel; behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off.’” (Ezek. 37:11) That last statement in Hebrew literally says: “we are cut off to ourselves.”

This hopelessness can be seen in a Scripture that is collectively recited often in synagogue prayers, and more so during the days of repentance: “Restore us to You, LORD, so that we may be restored; renew our days as of old.” (Lam. 5:21) What is omitted is the context, which expresses bewilderment and uncertainty of the LORD’s intentions towards Israel:

“Why will You forget us forever? Why do You abandon us for so long? Restore us to You, LORD, so that we may be restored; renew our days as of old – Unless You have utterly rejected us and are exceedingly angry with us.” (v. 20-22)

An example of the disconnect between modern Jews and GOD is the musical adaption of the famous prayer recited during this season, Avinu Malkeinu, by Jewish celebrity Barbra Streisand. Her version includes these moving lines (translated from Hebrew): “Don’t abandon us, don’t avoid us! Forgive us, our Father, for in our great stupidity we have erred. Have mercy on us, our King, for great are our iniquities.” She has passionately sung this song to live audiences for more than two decades. Yet Barbra’s personal ignorance of this GOD was revealed on a popular US talk show last year, when she asked concerning the Gaza war: “You know, where is God in this time? Where is He or She? Why can’t that Energy stop this madness?”

Many other Jewish people around the world are likewise dead to their identity as the people set aside for the LORD, with no idea of who He is or how to return to Him. For this reason, the Creator takes the initiative Himself during the Final Ingathering of the Exiles:

“Behold, I am going to open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel….  And I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken and done it.” (Ezek. 37:11-14)

We who have been revived, and who “live before Him” individually, can therefore ask our GOD to perform this miracle in Israel. In fact, we can participate by proclaiming His intention to “the four winds” of the earth: “Prophesy to the Breath [ruach – Spirit]; prophesy, son of man, and say to the Breath, ‘The LORD GOD says this: “Come from the four winds, Breath, and breathe on these slain, so that they come to life.”'” (v. 9)

Jewish communities traditionally blow the shofar throughout the month of Elul, as a reminder to repent and return. The Jewish sages also associate the shofar blast with the Messiah’s coming, based on Zechariah 9:14 and Isaiah 27:13. Both of those passages speak of being saved from impending death.

The same applies to Israel’s return from spiritual death. As we saw in Ezekiel, this is accomplished by GOD’s Spirit. But the Messiah is also involved in the revival, bringing salvation as GOD’s representative:

“Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand, upon the son of man whom You made strong for Yourself. Then we will not turn back from You. Revive us [techayenu], and we will call upon Your name. LORD GOD of armies, restore us! Make Your face shine upon us, and we will be saved.” (Ps. 80:17-19)

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me [techayeni]; You will reach out with Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me.” (Ps. 138:7)

We know that this “right hand” is the anointed Messiah son of David, because of similar descriptions elsewhere which apply to the End of Days:

“I [GOD] have found My servant David. With My holy oil I have anointed him, with whom My hand will be established. My arm also will strengthen him…. I will also make him My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. I will maintain My favor for him forever,
and My covenant shall be confirmed to him. So I will establish his descendants forever,
and his throne as the days of heaven.” (Ps. 89:20-29)

May we merit to see the Messiah revive Israel with our own eyes!

May the blessings of the Most High be upon you, your family, and your congregation, from the land of Zion and the city of Jerusalem.