motzei Shabbos: Havdallah 2 Elul 5783
These days are days of favor and repentance. During the month of Elul, through the 10th of Tishrei, H’Shem bestows His favor upon us, so that our teshuvah will be heard and answered.
Thus, in acknowledgment that His Thirteen Attributes of Mercy, given to Moshe when He passed before him (Exodus 34:6), are exceptionally available to us, during these days, we may seek teshuvah with a sincere heart, in earnest expectation that we will be forgiven our sins.
“The lion roars, who will not fear?” -Amos 3:8
During the month of Elul, H’Shem elicits awe from His people. The Bnei Yissacher further explains, that this verse specifically relates to this season, because the word for lion in Hebrew, aryeh, is an acronym for Elul, Rosh HaSHannah, Yom Kippur and Hoshanna (Rabbah).
Imagine a lion, the king of the beasts, roaring to awaken all who fear him. Yiras H’Shem, a sense of awe, respect and reverence toward G-d is awakened in us this month, as we approach Yom HaDin (the Day of Judgment) for the New Year.
Let us prepare in earnest this year, by searching our conscience, and strengthening our devotion to H’Shem. Whatever has faltered in our efforts over the past year, may they be revived. And, may we receive new life, springing up within us, as a result of our efforts.
©2023 all rights reserved
based on Bnei Yissacher:
Elul – Ma’amar 1:20
What is the practical meaning of diligence? והיה עקב תשמעון “And, it shall come to pass, if you diligently observe…” (Deuteronomy 7:12). The word eikev literally means heel, implying the end of something. The Bnei Yissacher associates this verse with the end of the year on the Hebrew calendar, pertaining to the last month, Elul.
It is a time when returning to G-d, we should focus on being more diligent our understanding and observance of the commandments. Our diligence will manifest itself in different ways, depending on what is most important to each of us on the derech (path).
During the month of Elul our teshuvah is elicited from H’Shem. This is referred to as an arousal from Above (Heaven). Yet, it is up to us to remain committed to that initial motivation – the first positive inclinations that draw us toward a complete return to G-d in Elul.
©2023 all rights reserved
based on Bnei Yissacher:
Elul – Ma’amar 1:19
“Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old together; for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.” – Jeremiah 31:13, JPS 1917 Tanach
When the Holy One forgives the sins of Israel, there will be cause to rejoice. The Bnei Yissacher explains that the “young” refers to the baalei teshuvah (penitents) who become like new after a complete teshuvah, returning to G-d in all their ways. The “old” refers to those who were righteous from their early years, and were able to maintain their righteousness with G-d’s grace. Both will be on the same level, so that the penitents will have the same status as those who had always been on the derech (path).
He notes that elsewhere it is mentioned how the righteous will praise their youthful years, in regard having had the opportunity to learn Yiddishkeit from an early age, preventing them from following a wayward path. Conversely, the baalei teshuvah will praise their latter years, because those years compelled then to atone for their youthful waywardness. As mentioned above, “the young and the old together” will rejoice, both those who praise their youth, and those who praise their latter years.
Referring back to the verse mentioned above, I would posit, that “the maiden” can be understood as a reference to K’lal Yisrael. The young and the old, may refer to all balei teshuvah, and those who followed the path of righteousness from the beginning of their years. So, that there is no distinction, between those who returned to G-d in their later years, and those who have always been on the derech. We will rejoice together at the Geulah when all of our sorrow will turn into joy (Psalm 126). Until then, we struggle in Olam HaZeh (This World), guarding ourselves against negative influences, and seeking reconciliation with G-d, especially during Elul.
*based on Bnei Yissacher: Elul 5
©2023 all rights reserved
Tikkun HaNefesh (Renewal of the Soul) Day 4
The first set of tablets were broken. The second set of tablets were received after Moshe was on Sinai from the beginning of the month of Elul until the 10th of Tishrei. These second tablets represent teshuvah, in the sense that our lives may be broken to a greater or lesser degree by our sinful nature (yetzer hara). If we do not make an attempt to mend the soul, then our connection to H’Shem will continue to suffer. As is written, “your sins have separated between you and G-d” (Isaiah 59:2).
When Moshe ascended to Mount Sinai for forty days, in order to receive the second set of commandments, he entered into yisuv hadaat, a settled state of mind, where He could be receptive to H’Shem’s communication with him. This interior calmness, knowing that we can retreat there in all circumstances, once, we have fostered an awareness of that place of solitude within, and hined our ability to retreat there, in order to reside in our inner sanctum, is all the more necessary. Than in times past, today, when so much adversity, and so many challenges are faced by us, as the Geulah (Redemption) draws near.
The Bnei Issacher explains, that these days of divine favor, are additionally designated as such, because of the creation the world, that began on Elul 25th, although it’s inception in the will of the Creator, occurred sometime earlier in the month of Elul. (Contrary to the basic assumption that the world was created, beginning on Tishrei 1, the first day of creation was on Elul 25th. Mankind was created on the sixth day of creation, corresponding to Tishrei 1).
We should anticipate a renewal of the soul, as we draw closer to the days on the Hebrew calendar, when everything was originally tohu vavohu (formless and void). So, to, may our souls return to a state of pristine renewal, as if we are beginning again in our devotion to H’Shem. Even if we have not yet done a complete teshuvah by the end of the month, may it be merited to us anyway.* Amen.
*based on Bnei Yissacher: Elul 4
©2023 all rights reserved
Ever since the times of Adam, after the expulsion of Adam and Chava (Eve) from the Garden of Eden, there has been an admixture of good and evil in the world. These are not primarily something external, as outside of us, rather, the potential for either, to a lesser or greater degree lies within the soul of every human being. So, to find our way in this world, we need to recognize the difference between the two, searching within ourselves for the taint of the soul that prevents us from drawing closer to G-d.
The Bnei Yissacher explains that the month of Elul is a time of opportunity for teshuvah, a return to G-d that begins with reflection upon the condition of the soul. “His hand is outstretched” (Isaiah 9:11), so that we may return to Him in complete repentance. This requires a sincere confession, and not returning to the same types of sins that may have been plaguing our lives, up until the moment of Divine favor in Elul, when opportunity prevails to change.
I will add that there seem to be general sins, that constitute a way of life that is in discord, so that it is more of an underlying attitude, that may permeate the soul (G-d forbid) and clouds our reasoning. Then, there are specific sins that can be clearly identified: these would include bad habits, and anything we know as wrong, yet do anyway. Yet, we may have to search below the level of our initial awareness to uproot negative thoughts and attitudes. May these become clear through the light that G-d will bestow upon us for the sake of purifying our souls.
These thirty days of Elul are the beginning of a forty-day period of time, when Moshe ascended to Sinai, in order to receive the second set of commandments, after G-d’s granting of His forgiveness to Bnei Yisrael. In our own lives, we need to return again and again to G-d, by way of a more thorough teshuvah each time, so that our endeavor may be sufficient in His eyes.*
©2023 all rights reserved
*based on Bnei Yissacher: Elul 3
“Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there; if I make my bed in the nether-world, behold, Thou art there.”
– Psalm 139:7-8, JPS 1917 Tanach
During the month of Elul, we are called to look past the surface level of ourselves; this is no easy task for anyone caught up in images, that is to say, the presentation of oneself as an image that does not correspond to who one really is. Yet, we should be careful not to continue fooling ourselves, if we have not already recognized the false images of ourselves that we might unconsciously present to others. Instead of upgrading our image, we need to look closely at its flaws.
This is the only way to gain an honest assessment of oneself. For, we are compelled by the quality of this month to judge ourselves, in order to diminish being judged disfavourably on Rosh HaShannah. We have a full month’s preparation to examine our own conscience, for the sake of improving ourselves, by first “cleaning house.” We must empty ourselves of all the clutter that has accumulated over time, creating obstacles between us and our ideal potential.
Where can we start? In every moment, we have a starting point. That is to say, that we may start in the present moment. If recollected enough, insight can be gained into our true nature, both the good and the bad, the strengths and the weaknesses, the virtues and the flaws. As is written, H’Shem will be with us when we are focused on the positive; and, He will also be present in our endeavor to explore our negative character traits.
©2023 all rights reserved
“Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there; if I make my bed in the nether-world, behold, Thou art there.”
– Psalm 139:7-8, JPS 1917 Tanach
During the month of Elul, we are called to look past the surface level of ourselves; this is no easy task for anyone caught up in images, that is to say, the presentation of oneself as an image that does not correspond to who one really is. Yet, we should be careful not to continue fooling ourselves, if we have not already recognized the false images of ourselves that we might unconsciously present to others. Instead of upgrading our image, we need to look closely at its flaws.
This is the only way to gain an honest assessment of oneself. For, we are compelled by the quality of this month to judge ourselves, in order to diminish being judged disfavourably on Rosh HaShannah. We have a full month’s preparation to examine our own conscience, for the sake of improving ourselves, by first “cleaning house.” We must empty ourselves of all the clutter that has accumulated over time, creating obstacles between us and our ideal potential.
Where can we start? In every moment, we have a starting point. That is to say, that we may start in the present moment. If recollected enough, insight can be gained into our true nature, both the good and the bad, the strengths and the weaknesses, the virtues and the flaws. As is written, H’Shem will be with us when we are focused on the positive; and, He will also be present in our endeavor to explore our negative character traits.
The Tree of Life 