This week's Parsha Re'eh opens up with the words "See I am placing before you today the blessing and curse". The Torah continues to explain that by following the commandments one will be blessed and the opposite (G-d Forbid) if they rebel against Hashem.

The Vilna Goan points out that the verse speaks in the present tense I am placing before you today. He explains that the reason for this is that we always have the choice of which path to take. We shouldn't think that if we have taken the path of curse that we can never change course to the path of blessing, but every moment we have the opportunity to change course. And if a person says what good does it do to change course now if I have followed the path or curse for many years, that the verse says it is placed before us "today". Once we choose the right path and commit by repenting for our old ways then we are renewed in a spiritual sense as if we just began today.

This Shabbas we bless the new month of Elul which is a preparation for the High Holy Days.  As we begin to reflect on our actions from this past year, we can be confident that we have the ability to change course and improve ourselves in any areas that we need to.  Everyday is an opportunity for a new beginning.

Shabbat Shalom,

Heath