When Elul rolls around, we Jews say, "Yom Kippur is coming!"
Every year I reach the end of the High Holy Days inspired to do more -- study more, come to more services, observe more rituals more often -- and be more -- kinder, more charitable, more aware and more grateful.
Yet when Elul comes round again, I'm disappointed in myself. Overwhelmed by the possibilities for improvement, I realize I've defaulted to business as usual on the path of least resistance.
This year, however, I've discovered a book to guide me: Rabbi Joseph Telushkin's The Book of Jewish Values; A Day-by-Day Guide to Ethical Living. The book offers short, readable essays on Jewish values for every day of the year except Shabbats, when Rabbi Telushkin recommends reviewing the previous six days' essays.
