This Shabbat is the sixteenth day of Elul. As we move closer to the High Holy Days, our cheshbon hanefesh—our spiritual accounting—asks us not only to consider who we are, but also what we stand for.

Our theme, Da lifnei mi atah omed—“Know before whom you stand”—guides us through this work. Last week, we began with the invitation to know ourselves. This week, we turn toward another part of the theme: Know what you stand for. What are the values at the center of your life? Where are they reflected in your choices, your relationships, and the ways you spend your time?

The Mussar tradition calls this quality ometz lev, courage of the heart. The Hebrew reminds us that courage begins in the lev—the heart—and then radiates outward. It shapes the words we are willing to speak, the actions we are prepared to take, the hope we continue to hold, and our willingness to learn and evolve. Ometz lev does not require us to be fearless or certain. It asks us to listen closely to what our hearts know matters—and then take the next honest step toward living it.

A practice for this week—a guide for the work of your cheshbon hanefesh: Ask yourself, “What do I stand for—and where can that value become more visible in the way I live?” Choose one small action that can help bring your answer into the world.

As we continue preparing together, here are four things to know:

  • Listen, learn, and sing with us: Music helps carry us into the High Holy Days and gives us words to express what we hope to become. Listen to “Know (Da Lifnei)” by Noam Katz, which our teens will help lead during our Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur Family Worship services. You can also begin learning “We Return/Hashiveinu”, a song that gives voice to the central work of this season: finding our way back.
  • Add your greeting or remembrance to our digital book: The deadline to receive a printed copy has passed, but submissions received by Tuesday, September 1, will be included in the digital Greetings and Remembrance Book. The digital book will also be displayed in the Rabbi Paul F. Cohen Community Space during Yom Kippur.
  • Prepare through service, study, and prayer: Join us at Temple Jeremiah on
    • On Friday, September 4, at 6:00 p.m. for our Feed the Hungry Packing Party before Kabbalat Shabbat worship.
    • On Saturday, September 5, our Selichot evening begins with study and a snack at 7:00 p.m., followed by an oneg at 8:00 p.m. and Selichot worship in Golder Chapel at 8:30 p.m., including the changing of the Torah covers. No registration is required for Selichot.
  • Name Badge Pick Up: This Sunday, August 30th, High Holy Day name-badge pickup will be available from 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

You can find schedules, answers, and updates on our High Holy Days webpage and High Holy Days FAQ.

May this season help us know what we stand for—and give us the courage to live it.

Shabbat Shalom, 

Rabbi Rachel Heaps