Elul teaches us a Jewish lesson: The last siren has not sounded – opinion

In an opinion piece, Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Lieberman draws parallels between the Jewish month of Elul and the final round of an Australian Rules football season. He emphasizes that Elul, preceding Rosh Hashanah, should not be viewed with dread as a mere corridor to judgment, but rather as a crucial period for action and change, akin to a team's last push before the season ends. Lieberman highlights the concept that "it's not over till it's over," citing the daily shofar blasts in Elul as a wake-up call, not a warning. He references Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi's metaphor of the King leaving the palace to meet people in the field, symbolizing direct access to God during this time.

"it's not over till it's over."

The author also applies the football instruction to "play the ball, not the man" to Jewish public discourse, arguing that while argument is an inheritance, contemporary discussions often devolve into personal attacks rather than focusing on issues. He suggests that Elul encourages us to return to constructive debate, acknowledging that while the "scoreboard" of our past actions is visible, the effort made, even late in the season, is what truly matters. Lieberman concludes that the "final siren" for Jews doesn't sound until Yom Kippur, offering ample time for repentance and change.