B"H
Thursday, Menachem Av 30, 5780 / August 20, 2020
Today is the first day Rosh Chodesh Elul. Tomorrow will be the second day Rosh Chodesh.
The month of Elul is the last month of the Hebrew calendar year. The next month, Tishrei, will begin the New Year, 5781. During this month of Elul, we prepare for the New Year.
During the month of Elul we wish each other a"Shana Tova" - a happy and healthy New Year.
Beginning Friday, throughout the month of Elul, the Shofar is sounded each day, after the morning service (except Shabbat). The sounding of the Shofar is a wake-up call, to remind us the significance of the month.
Our sages compare the month of Elul to a businessman who, at year's end takes stock of his business situation. He analyzes his accomplishments of the outgoing year and reflects upon his mistakes and opportunities which he missed during the year. Taking stock and reflecting on the past performances is essential to the continuation and success of the business.
The month of Elul serves the same purpose. During this month we prepare ourselves for the coming year by reviewing our spiritual accomplishments and the lack of them in the past year. We reflect upon our behavior and our relationship with G-d as well as with our fellow human beings.
Q. What is the historical significance of the month of Elul?
A. When the Jewish people worshipped the Golden Calf after the Giving of the Torah, G-d wanted to destroy them. Moshe prayed to G-d to have mercy on His people. Upon descending the Mountain he broke the Tablets. He then went up the mountain and prayed for 40 days for forgiveness for his people. G-d then told Moshe to go down and bring up Two Tablets. On Rosh Chodesh Elul he went up Mount Sinai and came down 40 days later, on Yom Kippur, with the Second Tablets and G-d's forgiveness for the Jewish people.
Ever since, the month of Elul was designated as a month for repentance and forgiveness.
The Baal Shem Tov compares our accessibility to G-d, during this month of Elul, 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 may be difficult for the average citizen to meet the king. But when the king travels through the countryside, everyone has 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.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
A WONDERFUL CHODESH-MONTH & A SHANA TOVA – A HAPPY, HEALTHY NEW YEAR