B"H

Elul

  Shalom and Bracha!

   May Hashem inscribe you, your entire family, and all those who are dear to you in the book of life for a healthy, happy, and prosperous new year and may we see the redemption through Moshiach immediately.

  Thursday and Friday August 24 and 25 are Rosh Chodesh Elul, which usher in the month of Elul.

  After we received the Torah on Mount Sinai, on the fortieth day of Moshe's ascent, the Jewish people sinned by making the golden calf. On the following day, Moshe descended from the mountain and broke the tablets. He punished the sinners and again ascended the mountain to beseech Hashem's pardon. Hashem was very angry and wanted to annihilate the people, and was only appeased when Moshe pleaded, "If you will not forgive them, erase my name from the Torah." For forty days he pleaded with Hashem until He agreed to forgive and rewrite the tablets. Moshe descended from the mountain and carved new tablets. On Rosh Chodesh Elul he again ascended to receive the second tablets. He remained for an additional forty days, during which Hashem revealed to him new depths in Torah. At the conclusion of the forty days, on Yom Kippur, Hashem fully forgave the Jewish people and Moshe descended with the Second Tablets. Therefore, these days are special days of Divine Mercy to repent and mend our ways.

  Certain customs are observed in the month of Elul. Chapter 27 of Psalms is read after morning and afternoon services and three extra chapters of Psalms are said each day (On Friday, chapters 1-3, Shabbat 4-6...). The Shofar is blown every day except Shabbat and the day before Rosh Hashanah. This is because the sound of the Shofar awakens us to Teshuva (repentance). Another reason is that when Moshe ascended to receive the second tablets on Rosh Chodesh Elul, the sound of the Shofar was heard throughout the camp and Hashem's name was thereby exalted. We blow the Shofar in commemoration thereof. The Shofar also will herald the coming of Moshiach. Blowing the Shofar confuses our evil nature, which will cease to exist when Moshiach comes. There is a custom to increase in charity and check the Mezuzos and Tefillin in the month of Elul, and similarly to take care of religious commitments that have been delayed. Whenever writing a letter, we wish a good new year. In the Sephardic custom, Selichot are said each day.

   In Likutei Torah, the Alter Rebbe poses an interesting question. Kabbalah explains that the prohibition of work on the holidays is because of the intensity of Hashem's presence. As such, it would seem that the entire month of Elul should be one long holiday, because of the revelation of Hashem's mercy! (The specific revelation of mercy is referred to as the Thirteen attributes of Hashem's Mercy, which is a lofty revelation primarily expressed on Yom Kippur.)

   The Alter Rebbe answers this with a parable of a king who goes out to the field to greet his servants. Although throughout the year the king is in his palace, and can only be accessed by special individuals with an appointment, once a year the king goes out into the field and whoever wants can go and greet the king and receives them with a joyous countenance and displays affection to them. Thereafter he returns to his palace, accompanied by the people. Similarly, throughout the year we cannot feel Hashem's presence while engaged in mundane matters. When Elul arrives, Hashem allows us to greet Him while involved in our daily work, and is accessible to all.

   The Hebrew word Elul is an abbreviation for "Ani L'dodi V'dodi Li" (I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine). May it be Hashem's will that by our increased devotion in the month of Elul we will merit the returning of Hashem's presence to Yerushalayim with the coming of Moshiach.

   A good Chodesh and a wonderful and sweet new year!