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B"H

Monday, Elul 2, 5778 / August 13, 2018

 

We are now in the month of Elul, the last month of the Hebrew year, 5778.

 

The month of Elul is called, “Chodesh Harachamim V’haslichot” – “The month of mercy and forgivness. Although G-d is always merciful and always forgiving, when we ask for His forgivness, during the month of Elul, G-d displays His mercy and forgivness in a more revealed way. During this month we recite additional prayers asking for G-d’s forgivness and pray that G-d grant us all a healthy, happy and sweet New Year.

 

Our sages tell us that G-d deals with us as we deal with others. Thus, if we want G-d’s mercy and forgivness, we too have to display mercy and forgivness to others. This is why we excell in giving charity this month more than other times and have more compassion in preperation for the New Year.

 

Jews of sephardic descent recite special “slichot” prayers, early morning, during the entire month of Elul. Those of Ashkenazic origin recite the selichot prayers during the week before Rosh Hashanah.

 

The Shofar is blown every day of this month (except the day before Rosh Hashana) after the morning service.

 

Q. Why is the month of Elul, more than other months of the year, a month of mercy and forgivness?

 

A. When the Jewish people made the Golden Calf, after receiving the Torah, G-d wanted to destroy them. Moshe prayed for G-d’s forgivness and His mercy on the people. G-d agreed.  

 

He told Moshe to come up Mount Sinai again. Moshe went up the Mountain on Rosh Chodesh Elul and came down 40 days later, on Yom Kippur, with the Second Tablets and G-d's forgiveness for the people of Israel.  Ever since, the month of Elul is a month for repentance and forgiveness.

 

The Baal Shem Tov compares G-d's accessibility, during this month, to a king who travels through the country to visit his citizens for one month during the year. 

 

While the king is in his palace, it is difficult for the average citizen to see the king and ask for his personal needs. But when the king travels through the countryside, everyone has much easier access to him and can make any request of him.

 

The same is with G-d, explains the Baal Shem Tov. Other times of the year, one has to make a greater effort to penetrate the Gates of Heaven. However, during the month of Elul, G-d is easily accessible and fulfills all our requests.  

 

May we all be inscribed for a healthy and successful year.  Amen

 

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY