We are nearing the end of the Hebrew month of Elul. Elul has been a time of introspection, a time to look back and reflect on our past year, and think about what our journey through the next year will be like. 
During Elul, as Rabbi Simon Jacobson so beautifully describes it, we prepare to enter “a renewed relationship with our own souls . . .” (60 Days, A Spiritual Guide to the High Holidays, 2008, p. 11).
The first day of the upcoming month of Tishrei is also called Rosh HaShana, the first day of the New Year on the Hebrew calendar. The eve of Rosh HaShana will be celebrated this coming Sunday by Jews around the world.
There are special prayers; traditions of giving thanks; blessings over special foods – each with a unique significance; a symbolic casting away of our sins from the past year; and many other meaningful traditions for this holiday. And, as always, there are songs!
One of my favorite Hebrew songs for Rosh HaShanah is this delightful melody above, Ba Shana Haba’ah. The refrain speaks of how good things will be in the coming year. . . . . sitting on the porch watching the migrating birds overhead . . . . a heron spending its wings in the sun. What a beautiful vision for the upcoming journey!
Wishing you a joyous, sweet New Year full of good health and many blessings~!
Birder's Journey 
Wonderful post!
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Thanks very much for your visit and your kind comment, Victor!
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That is a wonderful vision and beautiful heron!
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I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Tiny. I agree about the vision – and the sight of these lovely birds wading in the shallow water is just so serene.
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A blessed Rosh Hashanah to you.
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Thank you so much, Bob!
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Shanna tova lovely post
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תודה רבה ! שנה טובה גם לך✨
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Love the pictures of reflection!
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Looks even more beautiful in person! I hope you can visit there one day soon 😉
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I like the words of the song too… but the melody seems a little too upbeat for me right now. Your pictures touched me more. Wishing you and yours a very beautiful and sweet year, with good health, and a good living, and learning and joy.
שנה מתוקה ובשורות טובות
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Thank you so much for your very thoughtful message, Shimon.
שבת שלום ושנה טובה
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Beautiful images! Love heron. 🙂
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Thanks, Amy! The Tri-colored Herons are so fun to watch and so photogenic.
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“A white heron like a light will spread her wings and within them the sun will rise.” I really like this – what a powerful image!
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The bird imagery in Hebrew literature and culture, legends, arts is fascinating – from ancient times to the present (as you wrote about so beautifully a couple of months ago!). I find new and amazing connections every day.
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Before I researched the topic, I wasn’t aware of the many legends outside of the Old Testament. They are indeed quite fascinating! By the way, thanks for the recent post on the use and meaning of “fine, feathered friends”. That was very informative! I, too, had no idea about Dr. Seuss!
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Thanks, M.R.! You never know . . . .
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Yep, the world is full of interesting twists and surprises!
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