In the interest of being smaller

We live in a world where bigger is seemingly “better” ‒ where the larger, faster, and stronger we are, the more we are recognized as successful. Being at the top of the charts, being the most valuable player, or having the most followers are signs of achievement, and even adoration. We want to be part of something bigger than ourselves because, well, it makes us feel bigger.

But what about the value of being small? Of having the humility to know sometimes less really is more?

I have been thinking about this a lot recently because this past week was the start of the new month in the Jewish/lunar calendar – the month of Elul. It is the month immediately before the “high holidays” of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, a time of personal reflection and spiritual preparation. It is a time for self-examination and a deeper consideration of our relationships with each other and with higher powers (however one defines that power).  We are encouraged to offer and seek forgiveness from others, but also for ourselves. In essence it’s time for a “check-up” for the soul.

That's the kind of stuff they teach many of us in Sunday school when we are growing up,  But there's more.  

In kabbalah, the mystical aspects of Judaism, each month is assigned a letter. The letter ascribed to the month of Elul is the “yud” – the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet. 

This is no accident. Actually, it’s a reminder.

Success, while often desirable, also has a side effect that isn’t so positive. It can make us feel overly proud, with swelled heads and oversized egos. The effort to become bigger also might result in louder voices, flashier appearances, and more superficial qualities. We want to stand out in the crowd and be seen…be recognized.

 But sometimes the smallest acts are the most powerful. Take, for example, the Hebrew letter yud. It is tiny – not much bigger than the appearance of an apostrophe in the English language. Yet it is the first letter of the Hebrew words representing both God and Israel.  That means this pretty small letter has a big role in some pretty big words.

As I have been starting to do my own spiritual check-up for the month of Elul, I have been asking myself some “yud-inspired” questions: How have I let being “bigger” distract me from “better?” Have I sometimes misjudged others based on the perception of their status and size? Do I conduct myself in a manner that reflects humility and recognition of how small I truly am in the context of the larger world around me? Am I too enamored with the big letters around me in a way that makes me miss the small ones? 

In the alphabet of our lives, does the size of our personal letter matter, or does it matter more how we serve as letters in the words we want to manifest around us?  

Regardless of your background and faith, the next month might be a good time to optimistically asses the same questions for yourself.  When we all take a step back and see how powerful the smallest among us are, we can then truly start to do big things together.

Questions for further reflection:

  • Choose a letter in the English alphabet that most accurately reflects who you are. What about the letter’s design and appearance reflects your own personality?

 

  • Is there a common letter that starts the words that matter most to you? Choose that letter and write down as many words that start with that letter and resonate with you on a personal level.

 

  • Since Elul is also a month focused on forgiveness, are there people you want to ask for forgiveness, perhaps for things you knowingly or unknowingly might have done? Consider who those people are and make a point to reach out to them. Remember forgiveness isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a reflection of humility.

Seth Cohen