I have posted this on other forums, but it belongs here too as I belong to this community as well.

Sometimes wisdom comes from an unexpected source - like a coffee cup. I saw this on a cup: "The purpose of life is not to find yourself, it is to create yourself.

We are in the midst of the Hebrew month of Elul. The month before the month of Tishri which ushers in Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot. Elul is a month of prayer, reflection, penitence and introspection. I am especially mindful of falling short of the mark, that I am an imperfect person living in a beautiful,but also imperfect world.

As a Jew I am mindful that I am responsible for working on "tikkun ha-nefesh",the repair of the soul and for working as a partner with G-d in "tikkun olam", the repair of the world. These are not mutually exclusive goals for work on one ripples through the other. I am mindful that I am a link in a chain that enables "ahm yisrael" the people Israel to strive to be a "goy kadosh" a holy nation.

As a rabbi I am mindful that I am engaged in what might be called an "avodat kodesh" a sacred endeavor and that I have a role to play in "tikkun ha-neshamot" the repair of souls. It is my duty to teach and to guide, to help others to find their paths to spiritual wholeness through the tools provided by the traditions that form the bedrock of Jewish living.

As a Jew I am required to be in this world and of this world because the repair of this world cannot be accomplished by outsiders. I am not required to do this alone. I am not expected to complete the task. Though the task may not be
accomplished during my time, I am not free to walk away from that obligation. The hour is late, the workers are tired, the task is hard, and the Master is insistent.

As a Jew I am required to speak out on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves. I am required to speaks words of love, hope and joy, words of justice and healing, words of solace and comforting. I am required to stand
against oppression and bigotry and evil in whatever shape it manifests itself.

As a rabbi I have a responsibility to help others meet the challenges of life and the world we live in from a Jewish perspective. That is not the same thing, however, as telling people what they should think or how they should vote.

Jewish tradition teaches that Yom Kippur brings forgiveness for the wrongs we have committed toward G-d, but there is no forgiveness for the sins we have committed against others unless and until we strive to make amends and seek the forgiveness of others.

In that spirit, to the extent I have dealt wrongly with others on the forum, to the extent I have been lax in my obligations to others on the forum, less supportive or less responsive than I should have been, I ask your forgiveness.

B'shalom,

Peter

Dear Rabbio,

Though I am not familiar with many of the customs and beliefs you have spoken of in this thread, I can’t help but notice the similarities of some of my own comments I just made in another thread.
I think yours is a most beautiful and sincere post, and I can only offer my forgiveness in the case that personal offense may have occurred (if that helps at all), though again personally, I can think of no such event.
Jew or otherwise, it is my belief that self-reflection is beneficial and necessary for everyone, and I applaud your devotion to God and the betterment of your self for His sake.
I will pray for your ongoing success in meeting your service and devotion dear Brother. Excellent thoughts and wonderful post!

God’s blessings,

Rev. Campbell.